hold down 1 of 2

Definition of hold downnext
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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hold-down

2 of 2

noun

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
Depression, anxiety, and trauma are often compounded by the stress of making ends meet, putting food on the table, holding down a job in an unstable economy, and trying to create stability for children with limited resources. Jennifer Stolo, Washington Post, 2 June 2026 Gray held down the fort while the Red Sox lineup continued a season-long trend of wasting opportunities. Gabrielle Starr, Boston Herald, 30 May 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
  • But the Knicks gave themselves a chance by limiting the Spurs to 14 points on four-for-20 shooting in the third quarter, using a 13-0 run to get back in it and cutting it to 90-75 heading to the fourth.
    Tim Reynolds, Los Angeles Times, 11 June 2026
  • Reserving a table for these high-profile games will cost $20 per seat, limited to two-seat and four-seat tables.
    Camila Pedrosa, Sacbee.com, 11 June 2026
Noun
  • 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
  • When force is applied in the driving direction, torque tightens or loosens a fastener.
    Maryna Holovnova, New Atlas, 13 Feb. 2026
Verb
  • In a post-Soviet country restricted by state controls which forbade some basic human rights, as recently as 2013 they were still being told how to behave during their nation’s football matches.
    Tim Spiers, New York Times, 10 June 2026
  • The Australia-Singapore and EU-Singapore digital economy agreements restrict unjustified data localization requirements, while maintaining protections to address legitimate security concerns.
    Leonard Lim, Fortune, 10 June 2026
Noun
  • Ultimately, Evans allegedly told the victims that their curse was tied to finances, and that the only way to remove the curse was to liquidate their holdings and send the money to her in cash or gold bars, according to court documents.
    Lillie Davidson, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 11 June 2026
  • Financial pros generally recommend keeping your gold holdings to around five to 10% of your portfolio, maximum.
    Aly J Yale, CBS News, 11 June 2026
Verb
  • The morning of June 6, Mellor was back at Boston Logan airport for another trip to Havana, at a time when the United States is trying to tighten economic strings to choke Cuba’s government into change, and the country faces a deepening humanitarian catastrophe.
    Nick Penzenstadler, USA Today, 6 June 2026
  • The law aimed to tighten pretrial release programs and secure public safety after a man stabbed Zarutska to death, unprovoked.
    Julia Coin June 6, Charlotte Observer, 6 June 2026
Noun
  • Add in singles by Jung Hoo Lee, a sacrifice fly by Daniel Susac, and an RBI single by Harrison Bader, and the Giants turned a tie ballgame into a 3-1 lead.
    Patrick Saunders, Denver Post, 30 May 2026
  • Then Bella Perez hit a two-run home in the eighth to break a 3-3 tie.
    Eric Sondheimer, Los Angeles Times, 30 May 2026
Noun
  • There was a catalog from JCPenney, an EHS yearbook and a copy of the school dress code, which laid out such rules as boys being prohibited from having hair hanging over the top of the ears or lower than their collar and Bermuda shorts being only ones allowed.
    Gloria Casas, Chicago Tribune, 6 June 2026
  • Multicolor round beads sat across the lower lace area, while gem embellishments covered the toe box of the low-cut silhouette and continued around the collar.
    Maggie Clancy, Footwear News, 6 June 2026

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Cite this Entry

“Hold down.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/hold%20down. Accessed 12 Jun. 2026.

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