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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Example Sentences
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Recent Examples of holding down
The billionaire said that choosing to go in or not could mean the difference between simply holding down a job and building a career.
—
Emma Burleigh,
Fortune,
30 June 2026
Over the next few years, however, the Canucks must operate with an eye toward selling these veteran players when their value is at its highest for the sort of future assets that, instead of holding down the next great Canucks team, can give the machinery of the next great Canucks team a boost.
—
Thomas Drance,
New York Times,
23 June 2026
Cooper quickly became a key part of the Hurricanes’ offensive line, taking over as the starting right guard as a freshman and holding down that spot for the next three seasons.
—
Adam Lichtenstein,
Sun Sentinel,
22 June 2026
For a decade, Lil Pete has been holding down the Bay Area with sensitive, post-Jacka mood music.
—
Alphonse Pierre,
Pitchfork,
4 June 2026
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
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
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
Emma Burleigh,
Fortune,
30 June 2026
Over the next few years, however, the Canucks must operate with an eye toward selling these veteran players when their value is at its highest for the sort of future assets that, instead of holding down the next great Canucks team, can give the machinery of the next great Canucks team a boost.
—
Thomas Drance,
New York Times,
23 June 2026
Cooper quickly became a key part of the Hurricanes’ offensive line, taking over as the starting right guard as a freshman and holding down that spot for the next three seasons.
—
Adam Lichtenstein,
Sun Sentinel,
22 June 2026
For a decade, Lil Pete has been holding down the Bay Area with sensitive, post-Jacka mood music.
—
Alphonse Pierre,
Pitchfork,
4 June 2026
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
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
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
Recent Examples of Synonyms for holding down
Verb
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Kohl said venues and vendors that regularly work with celebrities are accustomed to strict nondisclosure agreements and limiting information to only those who need to know, reducing the risk of details leaking before an event.
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Backers like the California Chamber of Commerce say those changes would expedite public projects, though environmental groups warn of the environmental consequences of limiting CEQA’s oversight of new infrastructure.
Verb
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Utah's Governor Cox declared a state of emergency earlier this week, restricting fireworks displays ahead of the Fourth of July holiday.
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Following their return, the council later passed an immigration action plan and an ordinance restricting city property from civil immigration enforcement on a 9-0 vote, despite the disruption.
Cite this Entry
“Holding down.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/holding%20down. Accessed 1 Jul. 2026.
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