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

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Recent Examples of Synonyms for cracked down (on)

Verb

Sorkin’s problem was that, in reality, at this point in Facebook’s history, the powerful CEO had pushed out all the Roger McNamees, having suppressed dissent within the company.

— Chris O'Falt, IndieWire, 10 Oct. 2026
The rest of the network enacts the decision, as other genes are activated or suppressed farther downstream, but isn’t active in it.

— Quanta Magazine, Quanta Magazine, 9 Oct. 2026

Definition of suppressed

Verb

Its brutal and ongoing crackdown on protests has quelled a public revolt.

— David Goldman, CNN Money, 6 Oct. 2026
Caitlin Clark and the Indiana Fever may have had their WNBA championship dreams quelled Thursday, but the star’s Nike Caitlin 1 signature sneaker story is just getting underway.

— Riley Jones, Footwear News, 3 Oct. 2026

Definition of quelled

Verb

Armed and hooded, the gang was waved in by Black and surprised, subdued, and handcuffed the other security guards.

— Frannie Comstock, Encyclopedia Britannica, 9 Oct. 2026
The teenager was subdued by the school's principal and taken into custody, according to Polish news agency PAP.

— ABC News, ABC News, 8 Oct. 2026

Definition of subdued

Verb

Europe has called on China to voluntarily reduce hybrid car exports into the continent, but authorities in Beijing had reportedly slapped down the request, according to the Financial Times.

— Evelyn Cheng, CNBC, 9 Oct. 2026
Then, the scene went dark as a Wanted poster of Shaboozey was slapped down on the barroom’s table.

— Preezy Brown, Rolling Stone, 28 Sep. 2026

Definition of slapped down

Verb

There’s a lot of hype for the iPhone Duo, and this system should provide Apple with a good sense of how many customers are willing to put down money before preorders open.

— Cameron Faulkner, The Verge, 15 Oct. 2026
Clarkson then returns to the front of the store and puts down the kaleidoscope before addressing an employee behind the counter.

— Jessica Schladebeck, New York Daily News, 14 Oct. 2026

Definition of put down

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cracked down (on)

cracked (on)

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“Cracked down (on).” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/cracked%20down%20%28on%29. Accessed 18 Oct. 2026.

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Synonyms of cracked down (on)

verb

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