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
Southwest senior pitcher Alex Rico matched Kuhl inning for inning for much of the game, holding down the Chargers offense until the fifth.
—
Jeffrey Perkins, San Antonio Express-News, 9 May 2026
The Bengals could flip Slaton or Jenkins if Jackson or Robinson prove worthy of holding down their spots.
—Paul Dehner Jr, New York Times, 7 May 2026
Although Purdy is holding down the starting position and Mac Jones is entering the second and final year of a cheap backup contract, the players behind them are unproven.
—Graham Womack, Sacbee.com, 23 Apr. 2026
In Normal, our guy plays Ulysses, a substitute sheriff who’s just holding down the fort for a few weeks until a new sheriff can be elected after the old one passed away under strange circumstances.
—Bilge Ebiri, Vulture, 16 Apr. 2026
In a picture posted to animal control’s Facebook page, two strips of tape can be seen holding down the top of the bin.
—Caroline Zimmerman, Kansas City Star, 12 Mar. 2026
Yeah, no one was holding down her legs.
—Peter Larsen, Daily News, 7 Mar. 2026
But caretaking responsibilities can make holding down a full-time job challenging, especially for people caring for older adults and raising children at the same time.
—Cathy Bussewitz, Fortune, 19 Feb. 2026
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
Jeffrey Perkins, San Antonio Express-News, 9 May 2026
The Bengals could flip Slaton or Jenkins if Jackson or Robinson prove worthy of holding down their spots.
—Paul Dehner Jr, New York Times, 7 May 2026
Although Purdy is holding down the starting position and Mac Jones is entering the second and final year of a cheap backup contract, the players behind them are unproven.
—Graham Womack, Sacbee.com, 23 Apr. 2026
In Normal, our guy plays Ulysses, a substitute sheriff who’s just holding down the fort for a few weeks until a new sheriff can be elected after the old one passed away under strange circumstances.
—Bilge Ebiri, Vulture, 16 Apr. 2026
In a picture posted to animal control’s Facebook page, two strips of tape can be seen holding down the top of the bin.
—Caroline Zimmerman, Kansas City Star, 12 Mar. 2026
Yeah, no one was holding down her legs.
—Peter Larsen, Daily News, 7 Mar. 2026
But caretaking responsibilities can make holding down a full-time job challenging, especially for people caring for older adults and raising children at the same time.
—Cathy Bussewitz, Fortune, 19 Feb. 2026
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
Recent Examples of Synonyms for holding down
Verb
-
The agency advises limiting outdoor activities during unhealthy air days.—
Forum News Service,
Twin Cities,
8 May 2026
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However, in accordance with Chapter 720 of the Florida Statutes, they are prohibited from limiting or restricting interior changes to a home if the changes aren’t visible from the front of the parcel, an adjacent parcel, an adjacent common area, or a community golf course.—
Nicole R. Kurtz,
Miami Herald,
7 May 2026
Verb
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With Singapore restricting the number of expatriates, the UAE has also been a major beneficiary as some international banks relocate part of their operations.—
Vasuki Shastry,
Forbes.com,
10 May 2026
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The National Science Foundation suspended at least 18 research grants to UC Berkeley last month despite a court injunction restricting such suspensions, according to an attorney representing university scientists in a class-action lawsuit.—
Felicia Mello,
Los Angeles Times,
10 May 2026
Cite this Entry
“Holding down.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/holding%20down. Accessed 13 May. 2026.
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