held out

Example Sentences

Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.

The two planets will appear to be about the same distance in the sky as the width of your little finger held out at arm's length.

From BBC • Jun. 6, 2026

While the president struck an optimistic note during the cabinet meeting, saying that the Iranians were beginning to come around at the negotiation table, he again held out the possibility of additional military strikes.

From The Wall Street Journal • May 27, 2026

In winter, as they began considering closing the restaurant, they quietly looked for a buyer but held out hope that they could still make it work.

From Los Angeles Times • May 23, 2026

Instead, it just felt like an event held out of habit.

From Slate • Mar. 30, 2026

After an eternity or so, she let me go and held out plastic fangs, the same ones I’d given to her at the beginning of summer.

From "Sir Fig Newton and the Science of Persistence" by Sonja Thomas