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
Perdue has lived a double life—having access to immense privilege and money from two business empires, while holding down a regular job and living frugally.
—
Preston Fore, Fortune, 24 Oct. 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
After holding down the top seven, the remainder of the September 2025 tally features music from Gabby’s Dollhouse, Weapons and The Wrong Paris.
—Kevin Rutherford, Billboard, 23 Oct. 2025
And every one of these students is holding down multiple jobs.
—Nicole Gregory, Oc Register, 23 Oct. 2025
The Prep defense also stood tall in holding down the Raiders’ talented quarterback Caden Smith and tailback Caden Chase until the game was well out of reach.
—Matt Roy, Boston Herald, 20 Sep. 2025
By holding down the Talk button, the user can temporarily access the SuperMic and override the mics in the earbuds.
—Mark Sparrow, Forbes.com, 18 Sep. 2025
Turnstile’s powerhouse rhythm section of bassist Franz Lyons and drummer Daniel Fang, and guitarists Pat McCrory and Meg Mills (who replaced founding guitarist Brady Ebert in 2022) are skilled musicians who allow Yates to soar while holding down the sound.
—Daniel Kohn, Rolling Stone, 16 Sep. 2025
The biggest concern for Notre Dame is how Carr handles Mike Elko’s defense, considering few coaches are better at holding down an opposing quarterback, regardless of his experience.
—Pete Sampson, New York Times, 13 Sep. 2025
Preston Fore, Fortune, 24 Oct. 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
After holding down the top seven, the remainder of the September 2025 tally features music from Gabby’s Dollhouse, Weapons and The Wrong Paris.
—Kevin Rutherford, Billboard, 23 Oct. 2025
And every one of these students is holding down multiple jobs.
—Nicole Gregory, Oc Register, 23 Oct. 2025
The Prep defense also stood tall in holding down the Raiders’ talented quarterback Caden Smith and tailback Caden Chase until the game was well out of reach.
—Matt Roy, Boston Herald, 20 Sep. 2025
By holding down the Talk button, the user can temporarily access the SuperMic and override the mics in the earbuds.
—Mark Sparrow, Forbes.com, 18 Sep. 2025
Turnstile’s powerhouse rhythm section of bassist Franz Lyons and drummer Daniel Fang, and guitarists Pat McCrory and Meg Mills (who replaced founding guitarist Brady Ebert in 2022) are skilled musicians who allow Yates to soar while holding down the sound.
—Daniel Kohn, Rolling Stone, 16 Sep. 2025
The biggest concern for Notre Dame is how Carr handles Mike Elko’s defense, considering few coaches are better at holding down an opposing quarterback, regardless of his experience.
—Pete Sampson, New York Times, 13 Sep. 2025
Recent Examples of Synonyms for holding down
Verb
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Schuster said the angle at which the landing area crosses the Fujian’s deck is only 6 degrees off center, compared with 9 degrees on the US carriers, limiting space between the landing strip and the forward two catapults.—
Brad Lendon,
CNN Money,
26 Oct. 2025
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The Jayhawks did an excellent job of getting back in transition, limiting Louisville’s fast-break opportunities.—
Shreyas Laddha,
Kansas City Star,
25 Oct. 2025
Verb
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Grade Lane, a major road near the crash site, was closed indefinitely between Stooge and Crittenden, stalling local traffic and further restricting access to the scene.—
Dan Gooding,
MSNBC Newsweek,
4 Nov. 2025
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That progress is currently in jeopardy, with global policy and legal changes restricting access, compounded by up to 80% of donor funding for family planning being cut or threatened globally.—
Vogue,
Vogue,
30 Oct. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Holding down.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/holding%20down. Accessed 7 Nov. 2025.
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