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
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Recent Examples of holding down
Turnstile’s powerhouse rhythm section of bassist Franz Lyons and drummer Daniel Fang, and guitarists Pat McCrory and Meg Mills (who replaced founding guitarist Brady Ebert in 2022) are skilled musicians who allow Yates to soar while holding down the sound.
—
Daniel Kohn, Rolling Stone, 16 Sep. 2025
The biggest concern for Notre Dame is how Carr handles Mike Elko’s defense, considering few coaches are better at holding down an opposing quarterback, regardless of his experience.
—Pete Sampson, New York Times, 13 Sep. 2025
Zarutska was a white woman who was holding down a job.
—Debra J. Saunders, Oc Register, 12 Sep. 2025
In any case, most people wouldn’t last long holding down two full-time jobs, at least not in two different professions.
—Amy Lindgren, Twin Cities, 6 Sep. 2025
Most participants in the program are holding down full-time jobs, one-quarter of them still in the military.
—Tamar Jacoby, Forbes.com, 2 Sep. 2025
Most of its students are commuters, getting degrees while holding down full-time jobs.
—Byron Tau, Fortune, 24 Aug. 2025
The Grammy-winning R&B songstress and mother of four, who range in age from 11 to 18 months, carved out time to talk with us while her beloved husband, NFL quarterback Russell Wilson, was home holding down the fort.
—Sandra Guzmán, USA Today, 23 Aug. 2025
Other Thai pro-democracy activists have described to CNN the toll that being charged with lese majeste has had on their physical and mental health, the difficulty of holding down jobs as they are required to attend hearings every week, and strained family relations.
—Helen Regan, CNN Money, 21 Aug. 2025
Daniel Kohn, Rolling Stone, 16 Sep. 2025
The biggest concern for Notre Dame is how Carr handles Mike Elko’s defense, considering few coaches are better at holding down an opposing quarterback, regardless of his experience.
—Pete Sampson, New York Times, 13 Sep. 2025
Zarutska was a white woman who was holding down a job.
—Debra J. Saunders, Oc Register, 12 Sep. 2025
In any case, most people wouldn’t last long holding down two full-time jobs, at least not in two different professions.
—Amy Lindgren, Twin Cities, 6 Sep. 2025
Most participants in the program are holding down full-time jobs, one-quarter of them still in the military.
—Tamar Jacoby, Forbes.com, 2 Sep. 2025
Most of its students are commuters, getting degrees while holding down full-time jobs.
—Byron Tau, Fortune, 24 Aug. 2025
The Grammy-winning R&B songstress and mother of four, who range in age from 11 to 18 months, carved out time to talk with us while her beloved husband, NFL quarterback Russell Wilson, was home holding down the fort.
—Sandra Guzmán, USA Today, 23 Aug. 2025
Other Thai pro-democracy activists have described to CNN the toll that being charged with lese majeste has had on their physical and mental health, the difficulty of holding down jobs as they are required to attend hearings every week, and strained family relations.
—Helen Regan, CNN Money, 21 Aug. 2025
Recent Examples of Synonyms for holding down
Verb
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Pressures are understandable, but Campbell has to do a better job of limiting pre-snap penalties.—
Doug Kyed,
Boston Herald,
13 Sep. 2025
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Beware of when disengaging or limiting interactions is necessary for your own safety and well-being.—
Mark Travers,
Forbes.com,
13 Sep. 2025
Verb
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Other interventions include gatekeeper training, restricting access to lethal means, and help-seeking campaigns.—
Eric Wood,
Forbes.com,
16 Sep. 2025
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Some are also hoping to roll back changes that Republicans previously passed restricting the Medicaid program.—
Suzanne Blake,
MSNBC Newsweek,
16 Sep. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Holding down.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/holding%20down. Accessed 17 Sep. 2025.
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