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
Relevance
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
as in fastener
Related Words
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
Mia Cathell, The Washington Examiner, 24 Mar. 2026
Thieneman slides into the spot that Harrison Smith held down for over a decade.
—Nick Harris, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 20 Mar. 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
According to charging documents, Contreras Aguilar conspired with other MS-13 members to lure a 14-year-old boy believed to be cooperating with law enforcement to a park in Fairfax County, where the teenager was held down, slain, and buried by the Salvadoran gang.
—Mia Cathell, The Washington Examiner, 24 Mar. 2026
Thieneman slides into the spot that Harrison Smith held down for over a decade.
—Nick Harris, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 20 Mar. 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
-
In the early 1990s, a group called Friends of H Street sued the city to force it to limit vehicle traffic on the road that runs next to McKinley Park and in front of the home Kelly grew up in.—
Stephen Hobbs,
Sacbee.com,
9 Apr. 2026
-
Lakewood council members approved four separate ordinances last October that, among other things, eliminated minimum parking requirements and limited the size of a home, while lifting restrictions on how many units could be in that home.—
Karen Morfitt,
CBS News,
8 Apr. 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
-
Sergei Anokhin of Beeline and Khachatur Pombukhchan of Megafon said that instead of cellphone internet shutdowns, operators could just identify suspicious users and restrict them, the Russian news agency Interfax reported.—
ABC News,
ABC News,
9 Apr. 2026
-
A day after the United States and Iran agreed to a two-week ceasefire, the truce showed signs of strain Wednesday as Iranian leaders accused Americans of violating the agreement and reports emerged that Tehran had moved to restrict traffic through the Strait of Hormuz.—
Justine McDaniel,
Los Angeles Times,
8 Apr. 2026
Noun
-
That puts them at the forefront of an asset class that is looking uncertain, although their overall exposure is still relatively small compared to their vast holdings.—
Kelsey Warner,
semafor.com,
9 Apr. 2026
-
Apollo is expected to extend its unsecured debt holdings as part of a refinancing transaction, said the people, who asked not to be identified discussing a private matter.—
Reshmi Basu,
Bloomberg,
9 Apr. 2026
Verb
-
The Retinal ReSculpt Body Treatment dramatically lifts, firms, and tightens sagging, crepey skin and smooths the appearance of cellulite and stretch marks.—
ABC News,
ABC News,
11 Apr. 2026
-
While perennially popular countries such as Italy and Portugal are tightening immigration regulations, many other places still offer enticing options for relocation.—
Maureen O'Hare,
CNN Money,
11 Apr. 2026
Noun
-
Orbán, who refused to sever Hungary’s ties to Moscow following Russia’s invasion of Ukraine, has repeatedly obstructed European efforts to aid Kyiv.—
Kapil Komireddi,
New Yorker,
10 Apr. 2026
-
The recent run-up in energy prices ties back to oil.—
Greg Iacurci,Jessica Dickler,
CNBC,
10 Apr. 2026
Noun
-
Choose from long and short classic notch collar pajama sets and beautiful robes.—
ABC News,
ABC News,
11 Apr. 2026
-
Due to strong currents, divers struggled to stabilize Orion with an inflatable collar that was wrapped around its base.—
Miles Doran,
CBS News,
10 Apr. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Hold down.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/hold%20down. Accessed 14 Apr. 2026.
Copy CitationLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
