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
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as in fastener
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Example Sentences
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Recent Examples of hold down
Ronald Blum, Chicago Tribune, 2 Apr. 2025
The leadership, durability and physicality will play in a big way in the Bengals draft room as will holding down a starting spot at Alabama.
—Paul Dehner Jr., New York Times, 10 Apr. 2025
Stephen Clark, Ars Technica, 18 Nov. 2023
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
Los Angeles’ payroll figure was held down by deferred payments.
—Ronald Blum, Chicago Tribune, 2 Apr. 2025
The leadership, durability and physicality will play in a big way in the Bengals draft room as will holding down a starting spot at Alabama.
—Paul Dehner Jr., New York Times, 10 Apr. 2025
Noun
SpaceX tested the water deluge system several times since April, including on a pair of hold-down engine tests with the Super Heavy booster in August.
—Stephen Clark, Ars Technica, 18 Nov. 2023
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
-
This meant that our view was not limited to the inside of one building.—
Clayton Dalton,
New Yorker,
18 Apr. 2025
-
But Kessler only said the informant had identified Abrego Garcia as a gang member, and her decision was limited to the question of whether to release him from custody.—
Rebecca Beitsch,
The Hill,
18 Apr. 2025
Verb
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Since the protests a year ago, the university has heavily restricted campus access, drawing a lawsuit from neighbors in Manhattan who say Columbia is violating city and state laws permitting a passageway through campus.—
Eduardo Cuevas,
USA Today,
25 Apr. 2025
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Some eat fewer carbs to lose weight, while others restrict their carbs to improve blood sugar levels.—
Chelsea Rae Bourgeois, RDN,
Health,
24 Apr. 2025
Noun
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Its largest holding represents just 3.8% of the total portfolio at fair value, and most investments are less than 1%.—
Brett Owens,
Forbes.com,
19 Apr. 2025
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The deepening of President Donald Trump's trade war with China could push the country—the second-largest holder of U.S. debt—to dump its Treasury holdings, sending mortgage rates skyrocketing for millions of Americans.—
Nicholas Creel,
MSNBC Newsweek,
18 Apr. 2025
Verb
-
Texas bills would tighten uncertified teacher rules A provision in Texas House Bill 2 would bar school districts from employing teachers without certifications, and give them extra money to certify any teachers who aren’t already certified.—
Silas Allen,
Fort Worth Star-Telegram,
17 Apr. 2025
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Yet, risks of a global economic downturn still threaten the sector, which could cause all consumers to tighten their purse strings.—
Nicole Hoey,
Robb Report,
17 Apr. 2025
Noun
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That tie is now broken, and according to Billboard, SOS stands alone as the longest-charting top 10 album by a solo female artist in history, passing the Grammy-winning 21.—
Hugh McIntyre,
Forbes.com,
26 Apr. 2025
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But like the exhibition match against Dynamo, the tie would never be played.—
Richard Sutcliffe,
New York Times,
26 Apr. 2025
Noun
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It’s finished with a straight point collar and buttoned barrel cuffs.—
Jamie Allison Sanders,
People.com,
25 Apr. 2025
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Fighters such as heavyweight world champions Oleksandr Usyk and Daniel Dubois, and super-middleweight champion Canelo Alvarez, walk through the doors of the palatial Old Royal Naval College, tuxedo collars straining atop their muscled necks.—
Jacob Whitehead,
New York Times,
24 Apr. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Hold down.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/hold%20down. Accessed 2 May. 2025.
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