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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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

Roth was born in Denver, graduated with a psychology degree from the University of Colorado Denver, and held down jobs managing, serving and bartending. — Miguel Otárola, Denver Post, 7 Oct. 2026 With the trigger held down, the controller did a good job monitoring changes in acceleration and countering the wagon’s speed to maintain my walking pace. — Thomas Ricker, The Verge, 6 Oct. 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

The fences are required so that access is limited along the highway.

— Lynn Kutter, Arkansas Online, 13 Oct. 2026
That move also let Apple Home work with more devices from more manufacturers (previously, it was limited to those willing to go through the often arduous HomeKit approval process).

— Jennifer Pattison Tuohy, The Verge, 12 Oct. 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

Federal law restricts systematic voter roll removals within 90 days of a federal election.

— Ben Paviour, Sacbee.com, 15 Oct. 2026
The government also restricted fuel sales in portable containers but allowed motorists to fill their vehicles as usual, according to a Commerce Ministry statement reported by L’Express.

— ABC News, ABC News, 15 Oct. 2026

Definition of restrict

Verb

Part of Borromeo’s mandate was to tighten the product assortment, boost the company’s profitability and return it back to its foundational values and DNA.

— Lisa Lockwood, Footwear News, 15 Oct. 2026
Budgets have tightened and commissioners have retreated to the familiar — backing low-cost dramas and safe-bet crime formats.

— Scott Roxborough, HollywoodReporter, 14 Oct. 2026

Definition of tighten

Noun

Perhaps more importantly, both justices have deep ties to the conservative legal movement.

— The Conversation, The Conversation, 14 Oct. 2026
According to Kingston, Hillenbrand’s primary driver in listing the property is to use the funds to expand the business, not to cut ties with it.

— Sean Timberlake, Sacbee.com, 14 Oct. 2026

Definition of tie

Noun

That includes bolstering blue collar work in manufacturing, natural resources, and supporting small businesses.

— Saige Miller, NPR, 11 Oct. 2026
The public intellectual of the future won’t be wearing tweed or a button-down collar—the new uniform involves a coach’s headset, or the pancake makeup from the greenroom of some sports network.

— Vinson Cunningham, New Yorker, 9 Oct. 2026

Definition of collar

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hold down

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“Hold down.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/hold%20down. Accessed 17 Oct. 2026.

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Synonyms of hold down

verb

noun

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