hold out against

VERB

resist

Synonyms

STRONGEST

abide combat confront continue curb defy endure forgo maintain prevent refuse repel thwart turn down

STRONG

antagonize assail assault battle bear brook buck check contend counteract countervail dispute duel forbear hinder hold persevere persist refrain remain stay stonewall suffer traverse weather

WEAK

abstain from die hard fight back hold off keep from leave alone put up a fight remain firm stand up to struggle against

Antonyms

STRONGEST

OK accept aid allow assist discontinue encourage help stop surrender

STRONG

abandon advance agree cease desert give in give up go indulge leave permit quit refuse reject

WEAK

comply conform go along

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.

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hold out against

The strategy hinges in part on how long Taiwan could hold out against China’s much larger military force, and whether it could survive until allies arrive or China quits.

From The Wall Street Journal ● Aug. 5, 2026

"If Auroville," which has a big international profile and has been praised by UNESCO, "does not hold out against the plundering and devastation of our natural resources, then we are all doomed," he said.

From Barron's ● Jun. 25, 2026

That said, there’s reason to wonder how long the two station groups can hold out against ABC and Disney – a new Jimmy Kimmel Test of sorts.

From Salon ● Sep. 26, 2025

How long residents can hold out against property offers may depend on the type of transitional housing they get as they wait to rebuild, said Higa.

From Reuters ● Aug. 22, 2023

Evy and Katie tried to be mad at their erring sister but she was so good to them that they couldn’t hold out against her.

From "A Tree Grows in Brooklyn" by Betty Smith

hold out against

Example Sentences

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