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

Trump hadn’t yet declared war on Iran, but the country was roiling with protests, which had been harshly suppressed.

— Stephania Taladrid, New Yorker, 20 July 2026
Chinese exploitation of voter data claims Trump argued that the intelligence community suppressed information about China allegedly accessing 220 million voter files and trying to turn American opinion against him in the run-up to the 2020 election.

— Justin Fishel, ABC News, 17 July 2026

Definition of suppressed

Verb

Could the temporary seating at BMO Field actually withstand the number of people All those fears were quelled when Toronto put on six memorable matchday experiences, along with raucous watch parties throughout the city.

— Adam Crafton, New York Times, 20 July 2026
Burke said Washington left Bedford, confident that the protest had been quelled through his diplomacy.

— Salena Zito, Washington Post, 1 July 2026

Definition of quelled

Verb

Andrew Arrabaca, 43, was charged in Manhattan federal court a day after the attack at 26 Federal Plaza that injured three people before security officers subdued him.

— ABC News, ABC News, 21 July 2026
India has been the most prolific IPO market in the world over the last two years, with the highest number of listings, but activity was subdued here during the first half of the year.

— Priyanka Salve, CNBC, 21 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

While von Mandl helped put the Okanagan on the map, there’s enough potential there that O’Rourke may not be the last to put down roots.

— Tori Latham, Robb Report, 18 July 2026
Some of its greatest gifts arrive disguised as boredom — an afternoon with nothing scheduled, a bike pointed toward a friend’s house, a library book that unexpectedly becomes impossible to put down.

— Chicago Tribune, Twin Cities, 16 July 2026

Definition of put down

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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 24 Jul. 2026.

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Synonyms of cracked down (on)

verb

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