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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What Rokita alleges in lawsuit The lawsuit argues that IPS’s policies violate Indiana law, which prohibits governmental bodies from enacting a resolution or policy that restricts employees from communicating or cooperating with federal officials about someone’s citizenship or immigration status.—
Caroline Beck,
IndyStar,
6 Nov. 2025
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Removing this layer restricts the tree from moving water up from the roots or nutrients back down, a process known as girdling.—
Andy Wilcox,
Better Homes & Gardens,
3 Nov. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Holds down.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/holds%20down. Accessed 12 Jan. 2026.
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