HOLD DOWN Synonyms: 66 Similar and Opposite Words

hold down 1 of 2

verb

Definition of hold down

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

hold-down

2 of 2

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 hold down

Verb

Rushing, the club’s former top prospect, has held down the everyday duties for much of Smith’s absence. — Fabian Ardaya, New York Times, 23 June 2026 Cooper quickly became a key part of the Hurricanes’ offensive line, taking over as the starting right guard as a freshman and holding down that spot for the next three seasons. — Adam Lichtenstein, Sun Sentinel, 22 June 2026

Noun

These hold-down test-firings are typically one of the final milestones in a Starship launch campaign before SpaceX moves the rocket to the launch pad. — ArsTechnica, 19 June 2025 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 See All Example Sentences for hold down

Recent Examples of Synonyms for hold down

Verb

Prices are subject to rapid, unpredictable changes due to factors like, but not limited to, supply/demand, weather, and geopolitical events.

— USA TODAY, USA Today, 7 July 2026
Johnny Vander Meer, Bill Lee and Mace Brown combined to limit the AL to one run and seven hits as the NL won the All-Star game 4-1 at Cincinnati’s Crosley Field.

— Assistant Sports Editor, Los Angeles Times, 6 July 2026

Definition of limit

Noun

Push on it and the load distributes across the whole shell instead of finding the weakest fastener.

— New Atlas, New Atlas, 1 July 2026
The humble fastener has enthralled Chamberlain for years—so much so that a tattoo of a singular button is etched into her upper arm.

— Kate McGregor, Architectural Digest, 1 Apr. 2026

Definition of fastener

Verb

Reporters and the public will be allowed to attend after Graf denied a defense request to restrict access.

— ABC News, ABC News, 5 July 2026
From a military perspective, interoperability also strengthens China’s ability to deploy multiple carrier strike groups simultaneously, ensuring that each carrier can field a capable air wing without being restricted to a specific aircraft variant.

— Prabhat Ranjan Mishra, Interesting Engineering, 4 July 2026

Definition of restrict

Noun

This concentration of capital in AI leaves smaller, middle-of-the-road venture funds without large AI holdings struggling to return capital to their investors.

— Los Angeles Times, Los Angeles Times, 10 July 2026
The Museum’s collection includes significant holdings of contemporary global art and important examples of historical art, particularly 18th- and 19th-century American art and works on paper.

— Leslie Anderson, The Orlando Sentinel, 9 July 2026

Definition of holding

Verb

Anthropic has reported banning accounts and tightening filters after detecting attempts to use Claude for phishing emails, malicious code and safeguard bypasses.

— Ron Schmelzer, Forbes.com, 10 July 2026
Instead of tightening a leash or pushing on a dog’s back to force them to do a trick, pooches are commonly rewarded with treats, toys or positive affirmations.

— Patrick Ryan, USA Today, 10 July 2026

Definition of tighten

Noun

The most fascinating quarter-final tie for me, given that Switzerland denied us an all-South American affair between Argentina and Colombia.

— Jack Pitt-Brooke, New York Times, 11 July 2026
González has witnessed the ties between Mexico and its emigrants abroad evolve over four decades, starting as a young consular officer in the administration of Mexican President Carlos Salinas de Gortari.

— Alfredo Corchado, Los Angeles Times, 11 July 2026

Definition of tie

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hold down

hold-down

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Style

“Hold down.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/hold%20down. Accessed 11 Jul. 2026.

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Synonyms of hold down

verb

noun

Example Sentences

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