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
Machado has exceeded 150 games played in 10 seasons, while almost always holding down a premium defensive spot (third base or shortstop) and middle-of-the-lineup slot.
—
Tom Krasovic, San Diego Union-Tribune, 25 Dec. 2025
There’s also a delegate from the two teams, with Hall of Famer Michael Irvin repping The Star and injured running back Austin Ekeler holding down the Hogs.
—Steven Louis Goldstein, New York Times, 25 Dec. 2025
He's been holding down the fort on NBC and Today for over 45 years, and is undeniably integral to the network after all this time.
—Mekishana Pierre, Entertainment Weekly, 4 Nov. 2025
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
Tom Krasovic, San Diego Union-Tribune, 25 Dec. 2025
There’s also a delegate from the two teams, with Hall of Famer Michael Irvin repping The Star and injured running back Austin Ekeler holding down the Hogs.
—Steven Louis Goldstein, New York Times, 25 Dec. 2025
He's been holding down the fort on NBC and Today for over 45 years, and is undeniably integral to the network after all this time.
—Mekishana Pierre, Entertainment Weekly, 4 Nov. 2025
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
Recent Examples of Synonyms for holding down
Verb
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Iran has also imposed widespread internet and telephone blackouts during the protests, limiting visibility into the situation on the ground.—
Mitchell McCluskey,
CNN Money,
12 Jan. 2026
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Nevertheless, the McAlarneys admit that keeping their children away from smartphones and limiting technology is easier said than done, especially in today’s digital age.—
Tereza Shkurtaj,
PEOPLE,
11 Jan. 2026
Verb
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But efforts to mitigate human harms—restricting harvests, remodeling dams, breeding salmon in hatcheries—are yielding diminishing returns.—
Katherine J. Wu,
The Atlantic,
7 Jan. 2026
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The onerous covenants include, among others, restricting WBD’s ability to modify, renew or terminate affiliation agreements.—
Jill Goldsmith,
Deadline,
7 Jan. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Holding down.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/holding%20down. Accessed 12 Jan. 2026.
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