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

clamps down (on)

verb

present tense third-person singular of clamp down (on)

as in suppresses

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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Recent Examples of Synonyms for clamps down (on)

Verb

Non-breeding mole-rat females are known to run high on prolactin, a hormone that also suppresses fertility during lactation in nursing mammals.

— Jacek Krywko, ArsTechnica, 21 July 2026
Oura Ring emphasizes morning sunlight in its education content, noting that first-thing sunlight suppresses melatonin and increases cortisol, and positions itself as a tool to track sleep and validate sunmaxxing habits.

— Hanna Wickes, Charlotte Observer, 21 July 2026

Definition of suppresses

Verb

In person, Huang subdues his ironic braggadocio with polite eye contact and rolling belly laughs at his own jokes.

— Mariella Rudi, Los Angeles Times, 1 July 2026
El Nino also subdues the hurricane season in the Atlantic because there is so much heat in the Pacific that outcompetes the Atlantic, Berardelli added.

— ABC News, ABC News, 8 May 2026

Definition of subdues

Verb

Typically, bees stop laying eggs during the winter, or at least slow down activity, which represses mite activity.

— Los Angeles Times, Los Angeles Times, 23 May 2026
The portrait of a woman who represses and conceals a rape struck a chord as the #MeToo movement took off and put Trobisch on the map.

— Melanie Goodfellow, Deadline, 11 Feb. 2026

Definition of represses

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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clamps down

clamps down (on)

clams

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

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Synonyms of clamps down (on)

verb

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