as in limits
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 holds down
Adams, then, holds down the top spot on the depth chart in that box-to-box role, but Pochettino has also coaxed fantastic performances out of players such as Sebastian Berhalter, McKennie, Tessmann — and even Timmy Tillman — in that role.
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Paul Tenorio, New York Times, 5 Jan. 2026
Paul Tenorio, New York Times, 5 Jan. 2026
Recent Examples of Synonyms for holds down
Verb
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The law requires presidents to notify Congress within 48 hours of deploying forces and to end military action within 60 to 90 days absent authorization — limits that presidents of both parties have routinely stretched.—
Joey Cappelletti,
Chicago Tribune,
8 Jan. 2026
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But coming off an ankle injury and in a timeshare with backfield mate Vidal limits Hampton’s appeal.—
Bill Reinhard,
New York Daily News,
8 Jan. 2026
Verb
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The cap restricts how much of its revenue the state can keep to pay for services, meaning the change would free up cash that would otherwise be returned to taxpayers.—
Seth Klamann,
Denver Post,
14 Jan. 2026
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Justice Amy Coney Barrett asked Idaho Solicitor General Alan Hurst if the considerations for the Idaho law, which restricts biological men from competing in women’s sports at any grade level, would change for a young, prepubescent child.—
Jack Birle,
The Washington Examiner,
13 Jan. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Holds down.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/holds%20down. Accessed 20 Jan. 2026.
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