hold down 1 of 2

Definition of hold downnext
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

hold-down

2 of 2

noun

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
Verb
Should the plane suddenly drop, the passenger seats can bear a force of sixteen g’s; the jump seats have harnesses to hold down the crew. Burkhard Bilger, New Yorker, 2 Mar. 2026 People held down LaBeouf until officials arrived. Alexandra Del Rosario, Los Angeles Times, 2 Mar. 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
  • Those in need of medical care should call their doctor, urgent care or emergency department before arriving to help limit additional exposures.
    Katie Langford, Denver Post, 19 Mar. 2026
  • According to the team, challenges remain as high costs and demanding laser requirements limit widespread adoption.
    Jijo Malayil, Interesting Engineering, 19 Mar. 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
  • Annual contribution caps, even with catch-up provisions, restrict how much can be invested each year.
    Allison Palmer, Kansas City Star, 18 Mar. 2026
  • Some products that consumers might not consider candy are now restricted from the state’s Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program, or SNAP, formerly known as food stamps.
    Angela Palermo, Idaho Statesman, 17 Mar. 2026
Noun
  • Economists generally have calculated that whatever economic growth could be ascribed to the change would be washed out by the revenue loss from inflation-indexing only new purchases, and utterly swamped by the cost of indexing all holdings, past and future.
    Business Columnist, Los Angeles Times, 19 Mar. 2026
  • Nexstar announced the agreement to buy Tegna last August — which would push its holdings well over the FCC’s 39% ownership cap.
    Todd Spangler, Variety, 19 Mar. 2026
Verb
  • The disruptions are fueling broader concerns about tightening state control.
    Nathan Hodge, CNN Money, 21 Mar. 2026
  • Treatments like skin-tightening Thermage, which can run $3,000 or more in cities like New York and Los Angeles, cost half as much or less here.
    Jenny Jin, Allure, 21 Mar. 2026
Noun
  • Norris had long‑standing ties to North Texas after years of living and filming there.
    Marissa Armas, CBS News, 21 Mar. 2026
  • While born and raised in Oklahoma, Norris had several ties to Fort Worth and North Texas.
    Brayden Garcia, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 21 Mar. 2026
Noun
  • While that dog did not have a collar, police were able to use the microchip to identify its owner.
    Patrick Damp, CBS News, 21 Mar. 2026
  • From a crisp white collar to the maroon Purple Bust (1969), his color palette enhances the monastic quality of these paintings, which nearly double as fabric studies.
    Stephanie Sporn, Vogue, 21 Mar. 2026

Browse Nearby Words

See all Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Hold down.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/hold%20down. Accessed 22 Mar. 2026.

Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
Love words? Need even more definitions?

Subscribe to America's largest dictionary and get thousands more definitions and advanced search—ad free!

More from Merriam-Webster