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

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Antonyms & Near Antonyms

hold-down

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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

Profit is simply what remains after wages are held down, taxes are minimized, and costs are pushed onto workers, communities, and the environment. — Christopher Marquis, Time, 16 Oct. 2026 And even for those who are holding down jobs, raises and promotions have become like gold dust. — Orianna Rosa Royle, Fortune, 15 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 strikes also aimed to limit Tehran’s ability to threaten commercial shipping near the Strait of Hormuz.

— Aamir Khollam, Interesting Engineering, 3 Nov. 2026
The Bruins’ deeper bench outscored Arizona’s reserves 17-4 in the first half, the Wildcats’ production largely limited to Kharchenkov, who had 18 points.

— Los Angeles Times, Los Angeles Times, 3 Nov. 2026

Definition of limit

Verb

The company also used non-compete agreements restricting employees from joining rivals for two years, as part of their employment contracts, with senior employees holding valuable technical expertise likely facing closer scrutiny.

— Jenny Lee, CNBC, 5 Nov. 2026
Ukrainian authorities have not said how many residents were evacuated and have restricted details about their route to protect those who stayed behind and safeguard future humanitarian missions.

— Darlene Superville, Los Angeles Times, 5 Nov. 2026

Definition of restrict

Noun

Arm does have solid demand from hyperscalers, particularly Muse, a portfolio holding of Meta Platforms .

— Jim Cramer, CNBC, 5 Nov. 2026
At the suggestion by Johann Wolfgang von Goethe, the younger Gerning donated his holdings to the Duchy of Nassau; they were subsequently split up into three museums and then transferred to the city of Wiesbaden in 1900.

— Maximilíano Durón, ARTnews.com, 4 Nov. 2026

Definition of holding

Verb

Analysts and experts expect Democrats to tighten scrutiny of data-center projects and push for construction moratoriums as local opposition grows over electricity costs.

— Reuters, NBC news, 4 Nov. 2026
The race tightened into a near dead heat despite Oregon not electing a Republican governor in more than four decades.

— Spencer Kimball,Garrett Downs,Dan Mangan,Kevin Breuninger,Justin Papp, CNBC, 4 Nov. 2026

Definition of tighten

Noun

Democratic men have been hard at work on their public image since the 2024 election, largely distancing themselves from the MAGA look and its too-large suits and extra-wide ties.

— José Criales-Unzueta, Vanity Fair, 5 Nov. 2026
Chan — who immigrated to the city from Hong Kong at age 13 and has deep ties to its large Chinese and immigrant communities — was a community and legislative aide for years, including for then-Dist.

— Kevin Rector, Los Angeles Times, 5 Nov. 2026

Definition of tie

Noun

The woman denied the allegations, and Ross hit her in the chest several times and choked her, the report says, restricting her breathing by twisting the collar of her hoodie.

— Grethel Aguila, Miami Herald, 30 Oct. 2026
The two designers have launched a collaboration featuring 18-karat yellow gold and diamond button studs and collar tips created for Savas’ signature Allen denim shirt, bringing together fine jewelry craftsmanship and American workwear.

— Thomas Waller, Footwear News, 29 Oct. 2026

Definition of collar

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hold down

hold-down

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“Hold down.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/hold%20down. Accessed 7 Nov. 2026.

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Synonyms of hold down

verb

noun

Example Sentences

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