as in limiting
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
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 holding down
In a picture posted to animal control’s Facebook page, two strips of tape can be seen holding down the top of the bin.
—
Caroline Zimmerman, Kansas City Star, 12 Mar. 2026
Yeah, no one was holding down her legs.
—Peter Larsen, Daily News, 7 Mar. 2026
But caretaking responsibilities can make holding down a full-time job challenging, especially for people caring for older adults and raising children at the same time.
—Cathy Bussewitz, Fortune, 19 Feb. 2026
The progressive People's Party, which had been tipped to win the most seats, was holding down second place with 116 seats.
—Grant Peck, Arkansas Online, 9 Feb. 2026
The Rose Bowl will remain a College Football Playoff quarterfinal for the next two seasons — and likely the four after that — holding down its traditional spot as the afternoon anchor of the New Year’s Day lineup.
—Ralph D. Russo, New York Times, 3 Feb. 2026
Soft demand is holding down revenue at Union Pacific and CSX.
—Glenn Taylor, Sourcing Journal, 29 Jan. 2026
Machado has exceeded 150 games played in 10 seasons, while almost always holding down a premium defensive spot (third base or shortstop) and middle-of-the-lineup slot.
—Tom Krasovic, San Diego Union-Tribune, 25 Dec. 2025
He's been holding down the fort on NBC and Today for over 45 years, and is undeniably integral to the network after all this time.
—Mekishana Pierre, Entertainment Weekly, 4 Nov. 2025
Caroline Zimmerman, Kansas City Star, 12 Mar. 2026
Yeah, no one was holding down her legs.
—Peter Larsen, Daily News, 7 Mar. 2026
But caretaking responsibilities can make holding down a full-time job challenging, especially for people caring for older adults and raising children at the same time.
—Cathy Bussewitz, Fortune, 19 Feb. 2026
The progressive People's Party, which had been tipped to win the most seats, was holding down second place with 116 seats.
—Grant Peck, Arkansas Online, 9 Feb. 2026
The Rose Bowl will remain a College Football Playoff quarterfinal for the next two seasons — and likely the four after that — holding down its traditional spot as the afternoon anchor of the New Year’s Day lineup.
—Ralph D. Russo, New York Times, 3 Feb. 2026
Soft demand is holding down revenue at Union Pacific and CSX.
—Glenn Taylor, Sourcing Journal, 29 Jan. 2026
Machado has exceeded 150 games played in 10 seasons, while almost always holding down a premium defensive spot (third base or shortstop) and middle-of-the-lineup slot.
—Tom Krasovic, San Diego Union-Tribune, 25 Dec. 2025
He's been holding down the fort on NBC and Today for over 45 years, and is undeniably integral to the network after all this time.
—Mekishana Pierre, Entertainment Weekly, 4 Nov. 2025
Recent Examples of Synonyms for holding down
Verb
-
A little over a month after the California law was suspended, Washington state's Democratic governor, Bob Ferguson, signed a new law Thursday limiting facial coverings on law enforcement officers.—
Arkansas Online,
Arkansas Online,
20 Mar. 2026
-
Injuries have already played a big role in limiting the upside of some teams, such as South 6-seed North Carolina having lost Associated Press second-team All-American Caleb Wilson to a late-season thumb injury.—
ABC News,
ABC News,
19 Mar. 2026
Verb
-
Italy's Constitutional Court on March 12 upheld a 2025 law restricting citizenship to persons with an Italian parent or grandparent.—
Mike Snider,
USA Today,
15 Mar. 2026
-
In December 2025, the White House issued a proclamation fully restricting and limiting the entry of citizens of 12 countries, including Iran.—
Antonia Blyth,
Deadline,
15 Mar. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Holding down.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/holding%20down. Accessed 21 Mar. 2026.
Copy CitationLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
