HOLD-DOWN Synonyms: 66 Similar and Opposite Words

hold down 1 of 2

verb

Definition of hold down

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

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Antonyms & Near Antonyms

hold-down

2 of 2

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

The switch was so successful in holding down costs that Montana dipped into the health plan’s reserves in 2017 to help cover a particularly bad forest fire season. — Bob Herman, STAT, 18 Aug. 2026 Video from the hallway shows Miller being held down and in handcuffs, repeatedly asking why he is being arrested. — Ben Wheeler, Kansas City Star, 18 Aug. 2026

Noun

These hold-down test-firings are typically one of the final milestones in a Starship launch campaign before SpaceX moves the rocket to the launch pad. — ArsTechnica, 19 June 2025 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 See All Example Sentences for hold down

Recent Examples of Synonyms for hold down

Verb

Warchus says the show’s small ensemble size, which has to account for understudies across both the Welsh and LGSM characters, further limited how many roles could be written.

— Naman Ramachandran, Variety, 25 Aug. 2026
But the talent level will likely limit what Miami is capable of doing on defense because the shelves are bare.

— Omar Kelly August 24, Miami Herald, 24 Aug. 2026

Definition of limit

Noun

Push on it and the load distributes across the whole shell instead of finding the weakest fastener.

— New Atlas, New Atlas, 1 July 2026
The humble fastener has enthralled Chamberlain for years—so much so that a tattoo of a singular button is etched into her upper arm.

— Kate McGregor, Architectural Digest, 1 Apr. 2026

Definition of fastener

Verb

President Masoud Pezeshkian has acknowledged that the blockade has restricted the country’s ability to import essential goods, including fuel.

— Hamidreza Azizi, Time, 29 Aug. 2026
Even with the beta restricted to a single borough, Silvernia felt incredibly expansive, leaving me with high hopes for the final build's full world map.

— Gabriel Zamora, PC Magazine, 29 Aug. 2026

Definition of restrict

Noun

Family offices boosted their stock holdings in the second quarter and trimmed their exposure to real estate and private market investments, according to the latest CNBC Family Office Portfolio Tracker.

— Robert Frank, CNBC, 27 Aug. 2026
His other sports holdings include the WNBA’s Los Angeles Sparks, Andretti Global in IndyCar, Spire Motorsports in NASCAR and the PWHL.

— Kurt Badenhausen, Sportico.com, 26 Aug. 2026

Definition of holding

Verb

As tuition climbs and federal oversight tightens on low-earning programs, a new tool lets families compare outcomes across California campuses.

— Andrew Khouri, Los Angeles Times, 28 Aug. 2026
At the same time, a July 2026 Federal Reserve survey on bank lending practices showed that, compared to 2005, lending standards have tightened for all types of loans, except commercial and industrial lending.

— Ryley Amond, CNBC, 27 Aug. 2026

Definition of tighten

Noun

Samba has ties to the Brazilian Carnival tradition, so Anna picks out a floral fabric and designs a skirt with feather-style panels that will move around with the dancer.

— Roxana Hadadi, Vulture, 28 Aug. 2026
While Liang’s ties with the government have strengthened, his tech bets appear to be a convergence with Beijing’s priorities rather than state-directed, Wang noted.

— Anniek Bao,Elaine Yu, CNBC, 28 Aug. 2026

Definition of tie

Noun

The County of San Diego Department of Animal Services recommends microchipping pets, and animals should also wear a collar with an identification tag and current phone number.

— Melanie Marshall, San Diego Union-Tribune, 21 Aug. 2026
Portrait depicts a white-haired man clad in a dark article of clothing that’s topped with a white collar.

— News Desk, Artforum, 21 Aug. 2026

Definition of collar

Browse Nearby Words

holdbacks

hold down

hold-down

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Cite this Entry

Style

“Hold down.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/hold%20down. Accessed 31 Aug. 2026.

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Synonyms of hold down

verb

noun

Example Sentences

Browse Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

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