Resist or withstand wear, criticism, etc.:
— This theory won't hold water.

synonyms: hold up, stand up.

Roget 478: demonstrate, prove, establish; make good; show, evince, manifest etc. (be evidence of) 467; confirm, corroborate, substantiate, verify etc. 467, settle the question, reduce to demonstration, set the question at rest.    make out, make out a case; prove one's point, have the best of the argument; draw a conclusion etc. (judge) 480.    follow, follow of course, follow as a matter of course, follow necessarily; stand to reason; hold good, hold water.    convince, persuade (belief) 484.    ... show more

Roget 494: be true etc. adj., be the case; sand the test; have the true ring; hold good, hold true, hold water.    render true, prove true etc. adj.; substantiate etc. (evidence) 467.    get at the truth etc. (discover) 480.1. ... show more