as in to quell
to put a stop to (something) by the use of force
a repressive government that cracked down on political demonstrations
Synonyms & Similar Words
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Antonyms & Near Antonyms
Example Sentences
Recent Examples of Synonyms for crack down (on)
Verb
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Parents quelled first-day jitters and snapped photos to mark the start of the school year as thousands of Capistrano Unified School District students filled classrooms again after summer break.—
Heather McRea,
Oc Register,
20 Aug. 2025 -
Aikman, however, believed Switzer should have done more to quell it.—
Jason Jones,
New York Times,
19 Aug. 2025
Verb
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The warming can leap back without something to suppress it.—
Chris Mooney,
CNN Money,
19 Aug. 2025
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The air force said Russia launched 270 drones and 10 missiles into Ukraine, of which 30 drones and six missiles were intercepted or suppressed.—
David Brennan,
ABC News,
19 Aug. 2025
Verb
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Chatter in a crowded room, the grind of metal on train tracks and the boisterous wall of sound backstage at a gig were also effectively subdued but not completely obliterated.—
New Atlas,
New Atlas,
22 Aug. 2025
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As with every Premier League ground, the effects of the stadiums going all-seater and ticket price rises in the 1990s subdued the atmosphere, but safe standing is now a thing and stadiums are better for it.—
Andy Mitten,
New York Times,
20 Aug. 2025
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Cite this Entry
“Crack down (on).” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/crack%20down%20%28on%29. Accessed 27 Aug. 2025.
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