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
Synonyms & Similar Words
Relevance
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
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 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.
—
Paul Tenorio, New York Times, 5 Jan. 2026
Paul Tenorio, New York Times, 5 Jan. 2026
Recent Examples of Synonyms for holds down
Verb
-
Creating a ring of immunity in this way limits a pathogen’s ability to infect others.—
Helen Branswell,
STAT,
25 Jan. 2026
-
While the high cost of advertising at mega-events limits the number of advertisers willing or able to participate, there is a clear opportunity for those who do invest.—
Charles Taylor,
Forbes.com,
24 Jan. 2026
Verb
-
Protesters have urged local officers to limit cooperation with ICE as much as possible, while Davis has said state law restricts the department’s discretion.—
Austin Sanders,
Austin American Statesman,
5 Feb. 2026
-
The Santa Clara County Board of Supervisors approved an ordinance last October that restricts the use of these zones for federal immigration enforcement.—
Steve Large,
CBS News,
4 Feb. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Holds down.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/holds%20down. Accessed 10 Feb. 2026.
Copy CitationLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
