HELD DOWN Synonyms: 30 Similar and Opposite Words

held down

verb

past tense of hold down

as in limited

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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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 held down Campbell has held down the fort at left tackle throughout OTAs, minicamp and the first two days of training camp even after the Patriots selected offensive tackle Caleb Lomu in the first round of the 2026 NFL Draft. — Doug Kyed, Boston Herald, 26 July 2026 Residents of a smallish town outside of the capital Sofia, Gosha and Marina are a childless couple who have held down low-key lucrative positions for some time. — Leslie Felperin, HollywoodReporter, 14 July 2026 In the background of the photograph are canvas tents, ripped in spots, patchworked together, held down by metal stakes and small boulders. — Literary Hub, 14 July 2026 Collin is finally sharing the truth about being held down, the basement cell where he was hidden for years, and the cocktail of powerful antipsychotics forced on an 11-year-old boy. — Julia Moore, PEOPLE, 30 June 2026 Those potentially experiencing a seizure should never be held down due to the risk of further injury, the CDC notes. — Shafiq Najib, ABC News, 24 June 2026 Rushing, the club’s former top prospect, has held down the everyday duties for much of Smith’s absence. — Fabian Ardaya, New York Times, 23 June 2026 Dozens of trucks are fully loaded with garbage covered and held down with tarps. — Eleanor Beardsley, NPR, 27 May 2026 After Caltech, Allen held down a job for only about a year before starting work as a tutor with C2 Education in 2020 and going on to earn a master’s degree in computer science from California State University, Dominguez Hills, in 2025. — Asra Q. Nomani , Peter D'abrosca, FOXNews.com, 26 Apr. 2026

Recent Examples of Synonyms for held down

Verb

He has been limited during the offseason program but is working to be ready for Week 1 of the 2026 season.

— Pete Sweeney, Kansas City Star, 31 July 2026
They are just largely limited to local decisions, non-partisan races for positions like judgeships and what few partisan contests around the state feature only candidates from one political party — which under Florida law are opened to all voters.

— Miami Herald Staff, Miami Herald, 31 July 2026

Definition of limited

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held back

held down

held forth

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“Held down.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/held%20down. Accessed 3 Aug. 2026.

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Synonyms of held down

verb

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