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
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
But caretaking responsibilities can make holding down a full-time job challenging, especially for people caring for older adults and raising children at the same time.
—Cathy Bussewitz, Fortune, 19 Feb. 2026
The progressive People's Party, which had been tipped to win the most seats, was holding down second place with 116 seats.
—Grant Peck, Arkansas Online, 9 Feb. 2026
The Rose Bowl will remain a College Football Playoff quarterfinal for the next two seasons — and likely the four after that — holding down its traditional spot as the afternoon anchor of the New Year’s Day lineup.
—Ralph D. Russo, New York Times, 3 Feb. 2026
Soft demand is holding down revenue at Union Pacific and CSX.
—Glenn Taylor, Sourcing Journal, 29 Jan. 2026
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
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
But caretaking responsibilities can make holding down a full-time job challenging, especially for people caring for older adults and raising children at the same time.
—Cathy Bussewitz, Fortune, 19 Feb. 2026
The progressive People's Party, which had been tipped to win the most seats, was holding down second place with 116 seats.
—Grant Peck, Arkansas Online, 9 Feb. 2026
The Rose Bowl will remain a College Football Playoff quarterfinal for the next two seasons — and likely the four after that — holding down its traditional spot as the afternoon anchor of the New Year’s Day lineup.
—Ralph D. Russo, New York Times, 3 Feb. 2026
Soft demand is holding down revenue at Union Pacific and CSX.
—Glenn Taylor, Sourcing Journal, 29 Jan. 2026
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
Recent Examples of Synonyms for holding down
Verb
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Acting Director Nick Anderson testified that staffing has dropped to roughly 40%, sharply limiting the agency's ability to monitor threats and conduct outreach.—
Nicole Sganga,
CBS News,
23 Apr. 2026
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Elsa Mendoza has multiple sclerosis, limiting her travel options.—
Tom Krasovic,
San Diego Union-Tribune,
23 Apr. 2026
Verb
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The United States should more forcefully deter other countries from restricting digital trade.—
Josh Kallmer,
Fortune,
19 Apr. 2026
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Plymouth is the latest Massachusetts town to adopt a policy restricting local police cooperation with Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) as a wave of legislation aimed at impeding the agency’s ability to conduct operations in the state comes out of Beacon Hill.—
Tim Dunn,
Boston Herald,
18 Apr. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Holding down.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/holding%20down. Accessed 26 Apr. 2026.
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