CRACK DOWN Synonyms: 67 Similar and Opposite Words

crack down (on)

verb

Definition of crack down (on)

as in to quell

to put a stop to (something) by the use of force a repressive government that cracked down on political demonstrations

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Recent Examples of Synonyms for crack down (on)

Verb

The quiet moments of the offseason were eventually quelled by the madness of a young locker room, on a team replete with potential.

— Alex Zietlow, Charlotte Observer, 15 Oct. 2026
The French government has already promised 3,000 extra teachers in a bid to quell the unrest.

— Chloe Taylor, CNBC, 15 Oct. 2026

Definition of quell

Verb

Optional filters can be slotted in each module (when available) to suppress city lighting, adjust for solar imagery, and cater for different wavelengths.

— New Atlas, New Atlas, 15 Oct. 2026
But Uthmeier contends an overly broad reading of the First Amendment’s Establishment Clause has been twisted into a tool to suppress Christians and other believers.

— Miami Herald, Miami Herald, 15 Oct. 2026

Definition of suppress

Verb

Two nurses helped subdue the actress, who was taken to the hospital for evaluation.

— Chris Gardner, HollywoodReporter, 15 Oct. 2026
The interplay between the vocal harmonies phasing from side to side is clear, though the upper melody sounds subdued during the track's busier sections.

— Mark Knapp, PC Magazine, 15 Oct. 2026

Definition of subdue

Verb

The remainder was funded by Abu Dhabi United Group Investment & Development Ltd, which owned the club—making the owner’s money sit on both sides of the sponsorships.

— Joshua Hong, Fortune, 20 Oct. 2026
The senators sit on the powerful Senate Finance Committee, which oversees government health programs such as Medicare and Medicaid.

— Samantha Liss, CBS News, 20 Oct. 2026

Definition of sit on

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.

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crackbrains

crack down (on)

cracked

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“Crack down (on).” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/crack%20down%20%28on%29. Accessed 22 Oct. 2026.

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Synonyms of crack down (on)

verb

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