slap down

verb

slapped down; slapping down; slaps down

transitive verb

1

: to prohibit or restrain usually abruptly and with censure from acting in a specified way : squelch

2

: to put an abrupt stop to : suppress

Synonyms of slap down

• quell
• suppress
• subdue
• sit on
• crack down (on)
• put down

Examples of slap down in a Sentence

public protests against the dictatorial government were always promptly slapped down

Recent Examples on the Web

Then, the scene went dark as a Wanted poster of Shaboozey was slapped down on the barroom’s table. — Preezy Brown, Rolling Stone, 28 Sep. 2026

Léo’s tenderly nostalgic reminiscences of past love affairs are slapped down by Emma, who brusquely dismisses his pleasant recollections as mere male projection. — Jay Weissberg, Variety, 11 Sep. 2026

As lawyers crowded in, Reddington could be seen slapping down a sheaf of papers. — Eren Orbey, New Yorker, 4 Sep. 2026

The majority also slapped down his global tariffs, finding that only Congress had the authority to impose them. — Nicholas Riccardi, Los Angeles Times, 28 June 2026

Word History

First Known Use

1842, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Rhymes for slap down

• adown
• blowdown
• breakdown
• countdown
• crackdown
• crosstown
• downtown
• drawdown
• dropdown
• facedown
• godown
• hometown