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

cracked down (on)

verb

past tense of crack down (on)

as in suppressed

to put a stop to (something) by the use of force a repressive government that cracked down on political demonstrations

Synonyms & Similar Words

Relevance

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

Example Sentences

Recent Examples of Synonyms for cracked down (on)

Verb

Tunick’s lawyers have filed a motion with the court asking that all evidence from the interrogation, including the use of the duress code, be suppressed due to violation of his constitutional rights.

— Ryan Whitwam, ArsTechnica, 27 July 2026
Paul got his wish when the Cavs swapped Garland for Harden despite Garland’s suppressed trade value.

— Jason Lloyd, New York Times, 25 July 2026

Definition of suppressed

Verb

As the activist Assata Olugbala Shakur remarks, the chains of oppression can be broken with love, support, and care, and the Black radical imagination cannot be quelled even when our lives are on the line.

— Literary Hub, Literary Hub, 27 July 2026
If anyone was worried about a lack of personality from SEC coaches this coming season, their fears were likely quelled during SEC Media Days this week.

— Austin Perry OutKick, FOXNews.com, 23 July 2026

Definition of quelled

Verb

Trump spent time discussing the April attack in his remarks, thanking the law enforcement personnel who subdued the suspect.

— Todd Spangler, Variety, 25 July 2026
The suspect in the shooting at the April dinner, Cole Tomas Allen, was subdued a floor above the ballroom after allegedly shooting a Secret Service officer in his ballistic vest while running through a security checkpoint.

— Bart Jansen, USA Today, 24 July 2026

Definition of subdued

Verb

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
Today the Supreme Court slapped down the move made by a federal appeals court last year to overturn Hernandez's conviction.

— Alex Nitzberg, FOXNews.com, 22 June 2026

Definition of slapped down

Verb

Following her divorce, Frankie decides to put down roots in a glamorous London neighborhood, just her and her cat Blue.

— Caroline Reilly, Forbes.com, 31 July 2026
Born between 1981 and 1996, millennials may be a generation strongly associated with a love of travel, but many of them are now looking to put down roots.

— Lydia Mansel, Travel + Leisure, 31 July 2026

Definition of put down

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.

Browse Nearby Words

cracked

cracked down (on)

cracked (on)

See all Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

Style

“Cracked down (on).” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/cracked%20down%20%28on%29. Accessed 2 Aug. 2026.

Copy Citation

Synonyms of cracked down (on)

verb

Example Sentences

Browse Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

More from Merriam-Webster

Word of the Day

highfalutin

Popular in Grammar & Usage

7 Pairs of Commonly Confused Words

Merriam-Webster’s Great Big List of Words You Love to Hate

Is it 'nerve-racking' or 'nerve-wracking'?

Why does English have so many silent letters?

Your vs. You're: How to Use Them Correctly

Popular in Wordplay

Dutch Treat and French Leave: Eight Place-Based Compounds

14 Phobias You Probably Haven't Heard Of

The Longest Long Words List

The Words of the Week - Jul. 31

Even More Bird Names that Sound Like Insults (and Sometimes Are)

Popular

7 Pairs of Commonly Confused Words

Dutch Treat and French Leave: Eight Place-Based Compounds

14 Phobias You Probably Haven't Heard Of

Games & Quizzes