as in to limit
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
Synonyms & Similar Words
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Antonyms & Near Antonyms
as in fastener
Related Words
Example Sentences
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Recent Examples of hold down
Alphonse Pierre, Pitchfork, 6 Feb. 2026
Today’s Craig Melvin, who was supposed to host Olympic Late Night, also did not end up making the trip to Italy in order to hold down the fort Stateside.
—Dominic Patten, Deadline, 6 Feb. 2026
Stephen Clark, Ars Technica, 9 Apr. 2024
If the hold-down clamp is not tightened properly, the battery could move, allowing the positive terminal to contact the clamp and short circuit, increasing the risk of a fire, the company said.
—CBS News, 1 Nov. 2023
See All Example Sentences for hold down
Verb
Mornings With Mero replaces Ebro in the Morning—hosted by Ebro Darden, Peter Rosenberg, and Laura Stylez—which held down the AM slot for years before the show was unexpectedly cancelled in December.
—Alphonse Pierre, Pitchfork, 6 Feb. 2026
Today’s Craig Melvin, who was supposed to host Olympic Late Night, also did not end up making the trip to Italy in order to hold down the fort Stateside.
—Dominic Patten, Deadline, 6 Feb. 2026
Noun
Then, 12 hold-down bolts fired and freed the Delta IV Heavy for its climb into space with a top-secret payload for the US government's spy satellite agency.
—Stephen Clark, Ars Technica, 9 Apr. 2024
If the hold-down clamp is not tightened properly, the battery could move, allowing the positive terminal to contact the clamp and short circuit, increasing the risk of a fire, the company said.
—CBS News, 1 Nov. 2023
See All Example Sentences for hold down
Recent Examples of Synonyms for hold down
Verb
-
French President Emmanuel Macron blasted tech company executives of social media platforms over refusals to limit or restrict speech.—
Washington Examiner Staff,
The Washington Examiner,
19 Feb. 2026
-
Liverpool currently limit most of their first-year pros to a basic salary of around £52,000 a year plus bonuses, but there are exceptions to the rule.—
James Pearce,
New York Times,
18 Feb. 2026
Noun
-
When force is applied in the driving direction, torque tightens or loosens a fastener.—
Maryna Holovnova,
New Atlas,
13 Feb. 2026
-
The bodyguard choker is a stylish accessory made of faux leather featuring the lady Bey charm and adjustable buckle fastener for a personalized fit.—
Caché McClay,
USA Today,
24 Jan. 2026
Verb
-
French President Emmanuel Macron blasted tech company executives of social media platforms over refusals to limit or restrict speech.—
Washington Examiner Staff,
The Washington Examiner,
19 Feb. 2026
-
The state also funds preschool centers for kids from low- to middle-income families; federal funds pay for separate Head Start programs that are also income-restricted.—
CalMatters,
Oc Register,
18 Feb. 2026
Noun
-
Bowyer said a review of past proxy votes of TSET stock holdings showed some of its asset managers voting against the economic values of the state.—
Paul Monies,
Oklahoma Watch,
19 Feb. 2026
-
MineTXC serves as the cryptocurrency’s digital mining operation, while Blockchain Mint serves as the venture’s marketing arm and also manufactures cold storage coins, or the physical coins that crypto owners can use to access their digital holdings.—
Trevor Bach,
Dallas Morning News,
19 Feb. 2026
Verb
-
Now, five years after establishing overtime rules for Colorado’s farmworkers, Democratic legislators are weighing dueling bills to either ease or tighten those standards.—
The Denver Post,
Denver Post,
21 Feb. 2026
-
Spring is a reset—less about chasing trends, more about tightening the edit.—
Demetrius Simms,
Robb Report,
21 Feb. 2026
Noun
-
Rai led by one stroke when play was suspended Thursday but bogeyed 18 early Friday to drop into a tie and shot a second-round 70, leaving him tied for 12th with South African Aldrich Potgeiter, Ryan Fox and 2021 Genesis champion Max Homa at the halfway point.—
Steve Galluzzo,
Los Angeles Times,
21 Feb. 2026
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This week’s spat in Belgium came soon after the US ambassador to Poland, Tom Rose, announced on February 5 that the US would cut ties with Włodzimierz Czarzasty, the speaker of Poland’s lower parliament, the Sejm.—
Christian Edwards,
CNN Money,
21 Feb. 2026
Noun
-
Once the heavy portion is removed, finish with a clean cut where the branch meets the trunk, being careful not to injure the branch collar.—
Rae Ford,
Martha Stewart,
21 Feb. 2026
-
His costumes alone are a wonder, a series of bell-bottom jumpsuits, many of them accented with elegant high, Revolutionary War-era collars and cinched with macramé belts, their fringe swinging in time with his hips.—
Stephanie Zacharek,
Time,
20 Feb. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Hold down.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/hold%20down. Accessed 22 Feb. 2026.
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