holdout

American  

[hohld-out] / ˈhoʊldˌaʊt /

noun

1. an act or instance of holding out.

2. a person who delays signing a contract in hopes of gaining more favorable terms.

   The basketball star was a holdout until they offered more money.

3. a person who declines to participate, cooperate, agree, etc..

   Aside from one or two holdouts, everyone contributed.

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Etymology

Origin of holdout

First recorded in 1890–95; noun use of verb phrase hold out

Example Sentences

If there is to be a stubborn print holdout, it seems right that it is Merriam-Webster, which traces its lineage to Noah Webster’s “American Dictionary of the English Language” from 1828.

From The Wall Street Journal

Fearing negative fallout for its agricultural sector, France has long been a holdout, but had failed to muster enough support to block the accord -- until now.

From Barron's

AMC is a holdout, moving deeper into genre series, including spinoffs of its major hit “The Walking Dead” and shows based on Anne Rice’s vampire novels.

From Los Angeles Times

Eventually, AI holdouts will either get onboard or get weeded out.

From The Wall Street Journal

His holdout vote in the wake of 200-plus members of his party voting otherwise is not the first time he has taken an unorthodox stance.

From BBC

Related Words

• bonus
• chunk
• fee
• interest
• percent
• proportion
• rate
• ratio
• royalty