HOLDING DOWN Synonyms: 30 Similar and Opposite Words

holding down

verb

present participle of hold down

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

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 holding down 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 So, too, would Hugo Bueno, if only because the narrative of a player emerging from the Wolves academy and holding down a regular place in a Premier League starting XI is appealing. —

Steve Madeley, New York Times, 28 May 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 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

Recent Examples of Synonyms for holding down

Verb

But the Knicks gave themselves a chance by limiting the Spurs to 14 points on four-for-20 shooting in the third quarter, using a 13-0 run to get back in it and cutting it to 90-75 heading to the fourth.

— Tim Reynolds, Los Angeles Times, 11 June 2026
Xcimer’s engineering targets include limiting laser manufacturing expenses to less than $100 per joule to ensure competitive energy pricing.

— Aman Tripathi, Interesting Engineering, 11 June 2026