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
Synonyms & Similar Words
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Antonyms & Near Antonyms
Example Sentences
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Recent Examples of holding down
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
Zarutska was a white woman who was holding down a job.
—Debra J. Saunders, Oc Register, 12 Sep. 2025
In any case, most people wouldn’t last long holding down two full-time jobs, at least not in two different professions.
—Amy Lindgren, Twin Cities, 6 Sep. 2025
Most of its students are commuters, getting degrees while holding down full-time jobs.
—Byron Tau, Fortune, 24 Aug. 2025
The Grammy-winning R&B songstress and mother of four, who range in age from 11 to 18 months, carved out time to talk with us while her beloved husband, NFL quarterback Russell Wilson, was home holding down the fort.
—Sandra Guzmán, USA Today, 23 Aug. 2025
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
Zarutska was a white woman who was holding down a job.
—Debra J. Saunders, Oc Register, 12 Sep. 2025
In any case, most people wouldn’t last long holding down two full-time jobs, at least not in two different professions.
—Amy Lindgren, Twin Cities, 6 Sep. 2025
Most of its students are commuters, getting degrees while holding down full-time jobs.
—Byron Tau, Fortune, 24 Aug. 2025
The Grammy-winning R&B songstress and mother of four, who range in age from 11 to 18 months, carved out time to talk with us while her beloved husband, NFL quarterback Russell Wilson, was home holding down the fort.
—Sandra Guzmán, USA Today, 23 Aug. 2025
Recent Examples of Synonyms for holding down
Verb
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Ohio State flustered the Illinois offense and quarterback Luke Altmyer, holding them to just 47 yards rushing and limiting an offense that thrives on explosive passing plays.—
Cameron Teague Robinson,
New York Times,
11 Oct. 2025
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And the state is trying to push Russians who bought their phone before September 1 to adopt Max by limiting access to other messenger apps.—
Justin Sherman,
The Atlantic,
11 Oct. 2025
Verb
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Litigation based on the First Amendment and states’ right of publicity could also be used since restricting NIL and agents could be perceived as limiting speech and expression.—
Michael McCann,
Sportico.com,
7 Oct. 2025
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The historic vote last November offered a fierce rebuke of statewide Republicans who had spent decades restricting access.—
Kacen Bayless,
Kansas City Star,
6 Oct. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Holding down.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/holding%20down. Accessed 13 Oct. 2025.
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