holding down

verb

present participle of hold down
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

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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 The billionaire said that choosing to go in or not could mean the difference between simply holding down a job and building a career. — Emma Burleigh, Fortune, 30 June 2026 For a decade, Lil Pete has been holding down the Bay Area with sensitive, post-Jacka mood music. — Alphonse Pierre, Pitchfork, 4 June 2026 Cooper quickly became a key part of the Hurricanes’ offensive line, taking over as the starting right guard as a freshman and holding down that spot for the next three seasons. — Adam Lichtenstein, Sun Sentinel, 22 June 2026 Southwest senior pitcher Alex Rico matched Kuhl inning for inning for much of the game, holding down the Chargers offense until the fifth. — Jeffrey Perkins, San Antonio Express-News, 9 May 2026 Anchoring the reeds and holding down the baritone sax chair defined with soulful panache by Harry Carney for nearly five decades is Kamrin Ortiz. — Andrew Gilbert, Mercury News, 7 July 2026 Although Purdy is holding down the starting position and Mac Jones is entering the second and final year of a cheap backup contract, the players behind them are unproven. — Graham Womack, Sacbee.com, 23 Apr. 2026 Depression, anxiety, and trauma are often compounded by the stress of making ends meet, putting food on the table, holding down a job in an unstable economy, and trying to create stability for children with limited resources. — Jennifer Stolo, Washington Post, 2 June 2026 Over the next few years, however, the Canucks must operate with an eye toward selling these veteran players when their value is at its highest for the sort of future assets that, instead of holding down the next great Canucks team, can give the machinery of the next great Canucks team a boost. — Thomas Drance, New York Times, 23 June 2026
Recent Examples of Synonyms for holding down
  1. limiting
  2. restricting
Verb
  • Previously, many buildings constructed after 1961 or outside the city’s largest office centers could not be converted into housing due to older rules limiting conversions, in part to preserve commercial space.
    — Samantha Delouya, CNN Money, 8 July 2026
  • There should continue to be movement on the All-Star roster, especially on the pitching side, with rotation schedules limiting which starters can participate.
    — Maddie Lee, Los Angeles Times, 8 July 2026
Definition of limiting
Verb
  • In court documents, O’Hara alleged the defendants violated his First and Fourth Amendment rights, accusing them of unlawfully restricting free speech and initiating an unlawful seizure while using excessive force.
    — Bonny Chu, FOXNews.com, 2 July 2026
  • Blanket bans may seem like an obvious solution, yet fisheries management rarely operates in a world of simple answers and restricting certain catches could affect livelihoods, food security and community traditions.
    — Melissa Cristina Márquez, Forbes.com, 1 July 2026
Definition of restricting

Browse Nearby Words

holding back
holding down
holding forth
See all Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Holding down.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/holding%20down. Accessed 8 Jul. 2026.

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