as in limiting
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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Recent Examples of holding down
The progressive People's Party, which had been tipped to win the most seats, was holding down second place with 116 seats.
—
Grant Peck, Arkansas Online, 9 Feb. 2026
The Rose Bowl will remain a College Football Playoff quarterfinal for the next two seasons — and likely the four after that — holding down its traditional spot as the afternoon anchor of the New Year’s Day lineup.
—Ralph D. Russo, New York Times, 3 Feb. 2026
For the 40-year-old, the lowercase look may be a personal quirk with little professional downside, but for Gen Z workers, experts say, not being willing to spend effort holding down the shift key can carry real career consequences.
—Preston Fore, Fortune, 29 Jan. 2026
Soft demand is holding down revenue at Union Pacific and CSX.
—Glenn Taylor, Sourcing Journal, 29 Jan. 2026
Machado has exceeded 150 games played in 10 seasons, while almost always holding down a premium defensive spot (third base or shortstop) and middle-of-the-lineup slot.
—Tom Krasovic, San Diego Union-Tribune, 25 Dec. 2025
He's been holding down the fort on NBC and Today for over 45 years, and is undeniably integral to the network after all this time.
—Mekishana Pierre, Entertainment Weekly, 4 Nov. 2025
Yesavage will be tasked with holding down a Dodgers lineup that is littered with All-Stars and MVP winners.
—Ryan Canfield, FOXNews.com, 23 Oct. 2025
And every one of these students is holding down multiple jobs.
—Nicole Gregory, Oc Register, 23 Oct. 2025
Grant Peck, Arkansas Online, 9 Feb. 2026
The Rose Bowl will remain a College Football Playoff quarterfinal for the next two seasons — and likely the four after that — holding down its traditional spot as the afternoon anchor of the New Year’s Day lineup.
—Ralph D. Russo, New York Times, 3 Feb. 2026
For the 40-year-old, the lowercase look may be a personal quirk with little professional downside, but for Gen Z workers, experts say, not being willing to spend effort holding down the shift key can carry real career consequences.
—Preston Fore, Fortune, 29 Jan. 2026
Soft demand is holding down revenue at Union Pacific and CSX.
—Glenn Taylor, Sourcing Journal, 29 Jan. 2026
Machado has exceeded 150 games played in 10 seasons, while almost always holding down a premium defensive spot (third base or shortstop) and middle-of-the-lineup slot.
—Tom Krasovic, San Diego Union-Tribune, 25 Dec. 2025
He's been holding down the fort on NBC and Today for over 45 years, and is undeniably integral to the network after all this time.
—Mekishana Pierre, Entertainment Weekly, 4 Nov. 2025
Yesavage will be tasked with holding down a Dodgers lineup that is littered with All-Stars and MVP winners.
—Ryan Canfield, FOXNews.com, 23 Oct. 2025
And every one of these students is holding down multiple jobs.
—Nicole Gregory, Oc Register, 23 Oct. 2025
Recent Examples of Synonyms for holding down
Verb
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Unlike traditional sportsbooks, which typically lock bettors into wagers, prediction market users can trade in and out of positions before events are settled, limiting losses or locking in profits.—
Suzy Khimm,
NBC news,
5 Feb. 2026
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Early childhood advocates in California tend to err on the side of limiting testing as well, Fuller said.—
Makiya Seminera,
Los Angeles Times,
5 Feb. 2026
Verb
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China retaliated by canceling flights, restricting imports of Japanese seafood and ramping up military patrols, among other measures.—
Yumi Asada,
CNN Money,
8 Feb. 2026
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While the model is available to paid ChatGPT users for everyday development tasks, the company is delaying full API access and restricting high-risk use cases that could enable automation at scale.—
Beatrice Nolan,
Fortune,
6 Feb. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Holding down.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/holding%20down. Accessed 13 Feb. 2026.
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