as in to quell
to put a stop to (something) by the use of force
the need to clamp down on petty crime in the city
Synonyms & Similar Words
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Antonyms & Near Antonyms
Example Sentences
Recent Examples of Synonyms for clamp down (on)
Verb
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But Jimenez quelled that in the 76’ to break the scoreless tie.—
Darren Lauber,
Fort Worth Star-Telegram,
21 Mar. 2026 -
Border Czar Tom Homan was sent into Minneapolis to help quell tensions between state and local leaders and the Department of Homeland Security.—
Luke Barr,
ABC News,
16 Mar. 2026
Verb
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The Basij forces are a volunteer paramilitary militia, a branch of Iran's Revolutionary Guard, which Israel says was responsible for violently suppressing street protests against the Iranian government earlier this year.—
NPR Staff,
NPR,
17 Mar. 2026
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These actions are part of a sweeping anti-public strategy to undermine knowledge, suppress dissent and shift our culture toward a dangerous paradigm.—
Megan Thiele Strong,
Chicago Tribune,
16 Mar. 2026
Verb
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Solomon allegedly continued punching other TSA officers until Dallas police were able to subdue him, officials said.—
Lillie Davidson,
Fort Worth Star-Telegram,
15 Mar. 2026
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In Virginia, Mohamed Bailor Jalloh opened fire in a classroom at Old Dominion University before ROTC students subdued and killed him.—
Joey Cappelletti,
Los Angeles Times,
14 Mar. 2026
Verb
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Schettone allegedly had a student from his third-grade class at Gulph Elementary School sit on his lap, where he is accused of inappropriately touching the child, according to police.—
Laura Fay,
CBS News,
17 Mar. 2026
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But now, tourists will be able to sit on large travertine marble slabs where their columns once stood and read reproductions of the Roman numerals that indicated seat sections.—
ABC News,
ABC News,
17 Mar. 2026
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Cite this Entry
“Clamp down (on).” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/clamp%20down%20%28on%29. Accessed 21 Mar. 2026.
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