eke out

verb

eked out; eking out; ekes out

transitive verb

1
: to make up for the deficiencies of : supplement
eked out his income by getting a second job
2
: to make (a supply) last by economy

Examples of eke out in a Sentence

eked out a living from the family's small farm
Recent Examples on the Web
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.
Avon Marching Black & Gold Carmel Marching Greyhounds Castle Marching Knights Scores from 2024 BOA finals in Indianapolis Avon took the helm, Carmel eked out a second-place tie and Castle took 9th place. Jenny Porter Tilley, The Indianapolis Star, 17 Nov. 2024 His grandfather barely eked out a living from tiny, terraced fields in the drought- and famine-prone hills of China’s northwest Shaanxi province. Ann Scott Tyson, The Christian Science Monitor, 8 Nov. 2024 Both were won by incumbent two-term senators who eked out victories even as their party was losing the other marquee contest on the ballot. Craig Gilbert, Journal Sentinel, 6 Nov. 2024 The overthrow this summer of Prime Minister Hasina in Bangladesh, who was often criticized by Biden officials, also may have played a role in helping Harris eke out a victory in Hamtramck. Niraj Warikoo, Detroit Free Press, 6 Nov. 2024 See all Example Sentences for eke out 

Word History

First Known Use

1596, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Time Traveler
The first known use of eke out was in 1596

Dictionary Entries Near eke out

Cite this Entry

“Eke out.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/eke%20out. Accessed 30 Nov. 2024.

Kids Definition

eke out

verb
ˈēk-
1
a
: supplement entry 2
eked out their small income by working for neighbors
b
: to make (a supply) last by careful use
2
: to get with great difficulty
eked out a living from the poor soil of the family's farm

More from Merriam-Webster on eke out

Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
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