CLAMP DOWN (ON) Synonyms: 67 Similar and Opposite Words

clamp down (on)

verb

Definition of clamp down (on)

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

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Example Sentences

Recent Examples of Synonyms for clamp down (on)

Verb

Europe hardens on migration as nationalist support grows European countries sought to harden migration rules in a bid to quell support for nationalist parties across the continent.

— Nicholas Wu, semafor.com, 2 Oct. 2026
Riot police deployed to quell a protest typically arrange themselves into a square tactical unit.

— Sophie Landres, Artforum, 1 Oct. 2026

Definition of quell

Verb

These adjectives express the behavior that Reilly studied movies to learn how to suppress.

— Harmon Siegel, Artforum, 1 Oct. 2026
Becerra seems to either be suppressing a cough or hyperventilating at the bit of responding to Hilton’s vaccine vacuousness.

— Los Angeles Times, Los Angeles Times, 1 Oct. 2026

Definition of suppress

Verb

His actions nearly crashed the flight with 182 people on board before passengers and others rushed in and subdued him.

— ABC News, ABC News, 3 Oct. 2026
Abiy has tried and failed to subdue Tigray’s rebellious leaders in recent months, with TPLF Chairman Debretsion Gebremichael openly challenging him.

— Rodney Muhumuza, Los Angeles Times, 3 Oct. 2026

Definition of subdue

Verb

The shoes also feature buckled ankle straps for a secure fit and sit on slim 105 mm stiletto heels that dial up the drama.

— Karla Rodriguez, Footwear News, 30 Sep. 2026
At the park where the Rogerses lived, five campers now sit on riverfront lots where mobile homes were anchored into the soil until Helene hit.

— Ren Larson, ProPublica, 28 Sep. 2026

Definition of sit on

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clamp down

clamp down (on)

clamped

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“Clamp down (on).” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/clamp%20down%20%28on%29. Accessed 6 Oct. 2026.

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Synonyms of clamp down (on)

verb

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