hold water

phrase

Definition of hold waternext
as in fly
to withstand scrutiny and gain acceptance or approval a weak explanation that doesn't hold water

Synonyms & Similar Words

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Example Sentences

Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
Recent Examples of hold water The Coast Guard said that the fuel in the Jaria Provider was also stored in ballast tanks, which are typically used to hold water or air to control the ship's buoyancy. — ABC News, 2 Oct. 2026 Those tanks normally hold water to help control ships’ stability and balance at sea. — Nora Gámez Torres, Miami Herald, 2 Oct. 2026 Once a week, empty items that hold water such as tires, buckets, planters, toys, pools, birdbaths, pet bowls, flowerpots and trash containers. — Susan Bromley, Freep.com, 10 Sep. 2026 Your skin is also drier in perimenopause, because declining estrogen drags down your levels of glycosaminoglycans, a sugar-rich molecule that holds water in the skin. — Maggie Ryan, Flow Space, 1 Sep. 2026 See All Example Sentences for hold water

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Cite this Entry

“Hold water.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/hold%20water. Accessed 22 Oct. 2026.

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