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.

Only Nvidia and Amazon have eked out gains since the Middle East conflict started, and they are still down 4% and 8% this year.

From Barron's • Mar. 26, 2026

World stocks have eked out a 1% gain this week but are marking time on Friday before the payrolls, while U.S. as well as European equity futures are flatlining.

From Reuters • Aug. 6, 2021

Democratic candidate Samuel J. Tilden appeared to have eked out a narrow victory over Republican Rutherford B. Hayes, the governor of Ohio.

From Washington Post • Sep. 28, 2020

From Elaine May to Chelsea Handler, women have eked out a central role for themselves in comedy.

From New York Times • Dec. 11, 2018

Adieu! my dear child; you see I have eked out a letter: I hate missing a post, and yet at this dead time I have almost been tempted to invent a murder or a robbery.

From The Letters of Horace Walpole, Earl of Orford — Volume 1 by Cunningham, Peter