holds down

verb

present tense third-person singular of hold down
as in limits
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 holds down Marc Cucurella, who set up the winning goal in the Euro 2024 final, holds down the left. — Sam Leveridge, Forbes.com, 14 June 2026 Evanston’s Andris Lizenbergs holds down the 20th spot with 2,310. — Jeff Vorva, Chicago Tribune, 27 Mar. 2026 Adams, then, holds down the top spot on the depth chart in that box-to-box role, but Pochettino has also coaxed fantastic performances out of players such as Sebastian Berhalter, McKennie, Tessmann — and even Timmy Tillman — in that role. — Paul Tenorio, New York Times, 5 Jan. 2026
Recent Examples of Synonyms for holds down
  1. limits
  2. restricts
Verb
  • This decades-old measure changed the company to a joint stock corporation and effectively limits management's ability to close plants.
    — Sam Meredith, CNBC, 2 July 2026
  • That limits his position flexibility, which might make his roster spot difficult to hold onto if four other receivers outshine him.
    — Omar Kelly, Miami Herald, 2 July 2026
Definition of limits
Verb
  • The bill restricts adversarial foreign nations from maintaining significant investments in agricultural land and property near military bases, among other provisions.
    — Max Grinstein, The Washington Examiner, 3 July 2026
  • The ordinance that restricts yoga instruction at city parks does not outlaw teaching other subjects including tai chi and Shakespeare, the city has conceded in court proceedings.
    — Alex Wigglesworth, Los Angeles Times, 2 July 2026
Definition of restricts

Browse Nearby Words

holds back
holds down
holds forth
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Cite this Entry

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

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