as in to quell
to put a stop to (something) by the use of force
public protests against the dictatorial government were always promptly slapped down
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Recent Examples of slap down
But Trump’s camp has already made sure to highlight attempts Biden has made to make good on his promise that have been slapped down.
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Max Thornberry, Washington Examiner - Political News and Conservative Analysis About Congress, the President, and the Federal Government, 26 June 2024
That was, of course, not the high court’s decision, and in fact the court slapped down Arizona’s attempt to preempt federal powers on immigration.
—New York Daily News Editorial Board, New York Daily News, 26 Jan. 2024
In 2021, employees raised alarms that efforts to bypass the algorithm — and pay for longer rehab stays — were getting slapped down at higher levels of the organization.
—Elaine Chen Reprints, STAT, 7 May 2024
Lonely drug lord complains about US prison conditions as judge slaps down request.
—Fox News, 17 Apr. 2024
See all Example Sentences for slap down 
Max Thornberry, Washington Examiner - Political News and Conservative Analysis About Congress, the President, and the Federal Government, 26 June 2024
That was, of course, not the high court’s decision, and in fact the court slapped down Arizona’s attempt to preempt federal powers on immigration.
—New York Daily News Editorial Board, New York Daily News, 26 Jan. 2024
In 2021, employees raised alarms that efforts to bypass the algorithm — and pay for longer rehab stays — were getting slapped down at higher levels of the organization.
—Elaine Chen Reprints, STAT, 7 May 2024
Lonely drug lord complains about US prison conditions as judge slaps down request.
—Fox News, 17 Apr. 2024
See all Example Sentences for slap down
Recent Examples of Synonyms for slap down
Verb
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In June 2020, Willis demanded that Trump stop using Village People's music after the then-president threatened military action to quell protests following the police killing of George Floyd.Daniel R. Depetris, Newsweek, 7 Dec. 2024
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And in case anyone thinks its suppressions are the stuff of the past, the emergence of far-right leaders around the Western world in the past few years quickly quells the fantasy.Steven Zeitchik, The Hollywood Reporter, 5 Dec. 2024
Verb
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His beautiful, distant mother, played by the French-Argentinean actress Bérénice Bejo, treats these outbursts as insurrections to be suppressed.Alexandra Schwartz, The New Yorker, 13 Dec. 2024
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Harry is doing his best to keep Dexter from killing people, though Dex acknowledges that slicing into cadavers and taking hunting trips aren’t really cutting it in terms of suppressing his urges.Louis Peitzman, Vulture, 13 Dec. 2024
Verb
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The price of iron ore, which is Rio’s single largest product, accounting for two-thirds of Rio Tinto’s revenue, has remained subdued in 2024, though showing some improvement in the recent months.Trefis Team, Forbes, 2 Dec. 2024
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Several said they were alarmed by him and some were thankful when Penny subdued him.Jennifer Peltz, Los Angeles Times, 2 Dec. 2024
Verb
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With two young daughters at home, he’s put down roots in Chicago, having signed a two-year contract over the summer.Mark Lazerus, The Athletic, 13 Dec. 2024
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Despite the deployment of troops to the National Assembly that night to put down protests that erupted and prevent access to the building, lawmakers were able to bypass the barricades and cast a unanimous vote to overturn Yoon's declaration.Gordon G. Chang, Newsweek, 11 Dec. 2024
Thesaurus Entries Near slap down
Cite this Entry
“Slap down.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/slap%20down. Accessed 21 Dec. 2024.
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