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
Council plans Hammersmith and Fulham, the local council where the trial is happening, has previously slapped down bike sharing companies for cluttering up streets, but Lime and Human Forest both operate there now.
—
Nicole Kobie, Forbes, 21 Jan. 2025
Whether or not that played into the Board of Medicine’s actions, the body slapped down the Settlement Agreement and offered a Counter Settlement Agreement, which Simmons accepted.
—David J. Neal, Miami Herald, 15 Jan. 2025
Biden didn’t respond to those demands directly, leaving it to Schumer and Jeffries to slap down Trump’s debt-limit demand.
—Alexander Bolton, The Hill, 24 Dec. 2024
Recent examples of people acting out of this same humble presumption—and being slapped down for it—are abundant.
—Gal Beckerman, The Atlantic, 13 Dec. 2024
See All Example Sentences for slap down
Nicole Kobie, Forbes, 21 Jan. 2025
Whether or not that played into the Board of Medicine’s actions, the body slapped down the Settlement Agreement and offered a Counter Settlement Agreement, which Simmons accepted.
—David J. Neal, Miami Herald, 15 Jan. 2025
Biden didn’t respond to those demands directly, leaving it to Schumer and Jeffries to slap down Trump’s debt-limit demand.
—Alexander Bolton, The Hill, 24 Dec. 2024
Recent examples of people acting out of this same humble presumption—and being slapped down for it—are abundant.
—Gal Beckerman, The Atlantic, 13 Dec. 2024
See All Example Sentences for slap down
Recent Examples of Synonyms for slap down
Verb
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But that didn't quell a web of alternative theories over the decades.—
arkansasonline.com,
arkansasonline.com,
20 Mar. 2025
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Authorities placed a ban on public demonstrations for four days in an attempt to quell any growing backlash to the arrests.—
Chris Massaro,
Fox News,
19 Mar. 2025
Verb
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So could a weight loss medication that blocks opiate receptors along with suppressing appetite be effective?—
Andrea Muraskin,
NPR,
15 Mar. 2025
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Consider the scenario of deeper economic stagnation: a prolonged downturn could significantly delay the recovery of the housing sector, exacerbating affordability struggles, and suppressing new residential construction.—
Ali Hoss,
Forbes,
13 Mar. 2025
Verb
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Medium-bodied this has excellent ripeness, very good acidity, subdued wood notes, medium-weight tannins and very good persistence.—
Tom Hyland,
Forbes,
20 Mar. 2025
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After an initial burst of optimism upon Trump’s election, growth now looks to be more subdued.—
Rob Wile,
NBC News,
19 Mar. 2025
Verb
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In Syria, then-President Bashar al-Assad put down a civil uprising with the help of Iran’s Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps.—
Arash Azizi,
The Atlantic,
12 Mar. 2025
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The Duke and Duchess of Sussex have put down roots and found their groove in California, settling in Meghan's home state after announcing their intentions to step back from their royal roles in January 2020.—
Janine Henni,
People.com,
10 Mar. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Slap down.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/slap%20down. Accessed 26 Mar. 2025.
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