as in limited
to set bounds or an upper limit for
efforts to hold down taxes keep running up against the legislature's ingrained unwillingness to cut spending
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Recent Examples of held down
Brown served as a team captain for the second straight season and held down left tackle for an offensive line that’s in as good of shape as any since quarterback Joe Burrow arrived.
—
Paul Dehner Jr, New York Times, 15 Jan. 2026
But after more than an hour, agents held down Zapata Rivera’s arms.
—Nicole Foy, ProPublica, 13 Jan. 2026
Rachel, Helen, and Zoe watch as she’s held down against her will.
—Sam Reed, Glamour, 9 Jan. 2026
On the side, Abel also held down a job riding his bike around his hometown of Edmonton, Canada, dispersing advertising fliers around neighborhoods for just a quarter of a cent for every delivery.
—Emma Burleigh, Fortune, 5 Jan. 2026
Both women had been held down and penetrated by Rideout in the middle of the night.
—S. C. Cornell, New Yorker, 5 Jan. 2026
The explosives failed to detonate and Reid was held down by fellow passengers and the flight crew.
—Ayesha Ali, ABC News, 29 Dec. 2025
The Miami Dolphins franchise has finally held down the power and home bottom for 5 to 10 seconds, rebooting South Florida’s NFL franchise.
—Omar Kelly
october 31, Miami Herald, 31 Oct. 2025
Use Anchors Cloches made from glass and other heavy materials may not budge in windy weather, but lightweight plastic cloches will usually need to be held down with pins.
—Lauren Landers, Better Homes & Gardens, 28 Oct. 2025
Paul Dehner Jr, New York Times, 15 Jan. 2026
But after more than an hour, agents held down Zapata Rivera’s arms.
—Nicole Foy, ProPublica, 13 Jan. 2026
Rachel, Helen, and Zoe watch as she’s held down against her will.
—Sam Reed, Glamour, 9 Jan. 2026
On the side, Abel also held down a job riding his bike around his hometown of Edmonton, Canada, dispersing advertising fliers around neighborhoods for just a quarter of a cent for every delivery.
—Emma Burleigh, Fortune, 5 Jan. 2026
Both women had been held down and penetrated by Rideout in the middle of the night.
—S. C. Cornell, New Yorker, 5 Jan. 2026
The explosives failed to detonate and Reid was held down by fellow passengers and the flight crew.
—Ayesha Ali, ABC News, 29 Dec. 2025
The Miami Dolphins franchise has finally held down the power and home bottom for 5 to 10 seconds, rebooting South Florida’s NFL franchise.
—Omar Kelly
october 31, Miami Herald, 31 Oct. 2025
Use Anchors Cloches made from glass and other heavy materials may not budge in windy weather, but lightweight plastic cloches will usually need to be held down with pins.
—Lauren Landers, Better Homes & Gardens, 28 Oct. 2025
Recent Examples of Synonyms for held down
Verb
-
The National Association of Home Builders says the impact of AI on the industry is limited for now but is likely to evolve in the coming years.—
Kenny Choi,
CBS News,
8 Jan. 2026
-
But the Tigers limited the inside scoring opportunities down the stretch.—
Maddie Hartley,
Kansas City Star,
8 Jan. 2026
Verb
-
In court Thursday, federal magistrate judge Doug Micko granted the women bail and restricted them from traveling outside Minnesota or from going near the church.—
Arkansas Online,
Arkansas Online,
23 Jan. 2026
-
Travel should be restricted to emergencies only.—
NC Weather Bot,
Charlotte Observer,
23 Jan. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Held down.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/held%20down. Accessed 28 Jan. 2026.
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