held down

past tense of hold down

Example Sentences

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.
Recent Examples of held down Kobe Bryant’s signature line had held down Clark through college in her first WNBA years, but there weren’t any overt attempts to pay homage to the series. Ian Servantes, Footwear News, 14 Sep. 2026 When the button is held down, a section of the bracelet pops open to reveal the time. Carol Besler, Robb Report, 10 Sep. 2026 The Dodgers traded for an entirely new catching duo, Hunter Feduccia and Ben Rortvedt, who held down the position until Smith’s return. Maddie Lee, Los Angeles Times, 9 Sep. 2026 Banks himself, meanwhile, has held down the low end on the three studio albums Interpol has made in that timespan (2014’s masterful El Pintor, 2018’s Marauder, and 2022’s The Other Side of Make-Believe). Simon Vozick-Levinson, Rolling Stone, 2 Sep. 2026 Video from the hallway shows Miller being held down and in handcuffs, repeatedly asking why he is being arrested. Ben Wheeler, Kansas City Star, 18 Aug. 2026 Zisman gave up the sideman hustle years ago but has kept a foot in the scene by accompanying vocalist Kim Nalley, a chair he’s held down for decades. Andrew Gilbert, Mercury News, 18 Aug. 2026 This is the first year a conference has held down the top two spots in the preseason poll since Oklahoma and Nebraska of the Big Eight were 1-2 in 1987. ABC News, 17 Aug. 2026 While House of the Dragon held down the fort in drama, HBO also found comedic success with Larry David‘s Life, Larry and the Pursuit of Unhappiness. Katie Campione, Deadline, 13 Aug. 2026
Recent Examples of Synonyms for held down
Verb
  • Otherwise, the 59ers largely limited the Brickies’ prolific offense.
    Michael Osipoff, Chicago Tribune, 19 Sep. 2026
  • While HBCUs provided large numbers of Black officers during Vietnam, the success of diversifying the officer corps has been limited.
    Jeremiah Favara, The Conversation, 18 Sep. 2026
Verb
  • The United States has restricted fuel shipments to Cuba as part of a broader pressure campaign against the government of President Miguel Diaz-Canel.
    Rena Rowe, The Washington Examiner, 19 Sep. 2026
  • After months of suspension because of fighting, UNIFIL has resumed some of its non-military activities, providing basic medical assistance in areas where access remains severely restricted.
    Diego Ibarra Sánchez, NPR, 19 Sep. 2026

Browse Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Held down.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/held%20down. Accessed 23 Sep. 2026.

Love words? Need even more definitions?

Subscribe to America's largest dictionary and get thousands more definitions and advanced search—ad free!