as in to limit
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
as in fastener
Related Words
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 hold down
Shawn Tully, Fortune, 31 Jan. 2026
Pretti then appeared to be held down on his hands and knees before an agent seemingly struck him repeatedly with an object toward his head, according to USA Today.
—Caroline Zimmerman, Kansas City Star, 30 Jan. 2026
Stephen Clark, Ars Technica, 9 Apr. 2024
If the hold-down clamp is not tightened properly, the battery could move, allowing the positive terminal to contact the clamp and short circuit, increasing the risk of a fire, the company said.
—CBS News, 1 Nov. 2023
See All Example Sentences for hold down
Verb
President Truman—fearing that huge interest costs would swamp the budget—heavily pressured the Fed to hold down rates.
—Shawn Tully, Fortune, 31 Jan. 2026
Pretti then appeared to be held down on his hands and knees before an agent seemingly struck him repeatedly with an object toward his head, according to USA Today.
—Caroline Zimmerman, Kansas City Star, 30 Jan. 2026
Noun
Then, 12 hold-down bolts fired and freed the Delta IV Heavy for its climb into space with a top-secret payload for the US government's spy satellite agency.
—Stephen Clark, Ars Technica, 9 Apr. 2024
If the hold-down clamp is not tightened properly, the battery could move, allowing the positive terminal to contact the clamp and short circuit, increasing the risk of a fire, the company said.
—CBS News, 1 Nov. 2023
See All Example Sentences for hold down
Recent Examples of Synonyms for hold down
Verb
-
Parents can take action to limit their baby’s exposure to ultraprocessing and the additives that come with it, Houlihan said.—
Sandee LaMotte,
CNN Money,
11 Feb. 2026
-
Honeycomb’s plan is to use deed restrictions to limit future resale price increases, ensuring that the units remain available as affordable housing for the next 40 years or longer.—
Don Stacom,
Hartford Courant,
11 Feb. 2026
Noun
-
When force is applied in the driving direction, torque tightens or loosens a fastener.—
Maryna Holovnova,
New Atlas,
13 Feb. 2026
-
The bodyguard choker is a stylish accessory made of faux leather featuring the lady Bey charm and adjustable buckle fastener for a personalized fit.—
Caché McClay,
USA Today,
24 Jan. 2026
Verb
-
Multiple suits challenging the administration’s policies that restrict legal immigration are pending in federal court.—
Catherine E. Shoichet,
CNN Money,
12 Feb. 2026
-
Bauer proposed an amendment to state that a government body shouldn’t take action to prohibit, deny, restrict or interfere with the right to marry based on race, color, ethnicity or national origin.—
Alexandra Kukulka,
Chicago Tribune,
11 Feb. 2026
Noun
-
Bitcoin’s slide picked up speed Thursday, dropping below $66,000 for the first time in more than a year as investors rushed out of their holdings.—
Dante Motley,
Austin American Statesman,
5 Feb. 2026
-
So most [of] these large hedge funds … one second or five seconds is considered a long holding period.—
Nick Lichtenberg,
Fortune,
5 Feb. 2026
Verb
-
However, Zelenskyy, backed by European leaders and some members of Congress, has insisted that the sanctions regime against Russia must instead be tightened to starve the Russian war machine of revenue and Western technological components.—
Arkansas Online,
Arkansas Online,
8 Feb. 2026
-
Austin Independent School District has tightened its rules for student protests, outlining new limits on staff involvement and clarifying law enforcement’s role when demonstrations move off campus.—
Marley Malenfant,
Austin American Statesman,
7 Feb. 2026
Noun
-
In bond determinations, judges are required to consider factors such as the nature and circumstances of the offense, a defendant’s criminal history, ties to the community, and risk of flight or danger to others.—
Charlotte Observer,
Charlotte Observer,
13 Feb. 2026
-
The elaborate game plan involved identifying powerful targets like the Musk brothers, using women and intermediaries to forge stronger ties with the target, and then relentlessly trying to insert himself into their circles.—
Eva Roytburg,
Fortune,
13 Feb. 2026
Noun
-
Worn by Austin Butler, Ben Affleck, Kit Connor, and just about every cool menswear guy out there, it’s made from organic cotton canvas and finished with a corduroy collar.—
Adam Cheung,
Condé Nast Traveler,
7 Feb. 2026
-
These sets come in a variety of styles, most of which include a preppy collar and button front.—
John Monaco,
InStyle,
7 Feb. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Hold down.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/hold%20down. Accessed 15 Feb. 2026.
Copy CitationLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
