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
-
The Onondagas support plans announced by the mayor of Syracuse in 2020 to remove the statue of Columbus, an Italian explorer who helped the Spanish establish a colonial foothold in the Caribbean and later suppressed revolts by Indigenous people.—
Eva Roytburg,
Fortune,
11 Oct. 2025 -
The defense also argued that evidence recovered from the backpack Mangione was carrying when he was arrested at a Pennsylvania McDonald’s should be suppressed.—
Aaron Katersky,
ABC News,
11 Oct. 2025
Verb
-
The large police presence, with a handful of riot vans positioned between the protestors and the stadium entrance, quelled any threat of violence until a small flashpoint close to half-time — tear gas was briefly used to disperse activists who attempted to break through police barricades.—
Philip Buckingham,
New York Times,
12 Oct. 2025
-
That argument hasn’t quelled internal frustration.—
Eva Roytburg,
Fortune,
8 Oct. 2025
Verb
-
Sure, there's a definite shift of styles between the grim, cramped jail cell and a lavish Hollywood musical, but the latter seems almost subdued.—
Brian Truitt,
USA Today,
8 Oct. 2025
-
A bit subdued and a bit of a passenger.—
Tim Spiers,
New York Times,
7 Oct. 2025
Verb
-
And that’s the big ol’ marker general manager Adam Peters has slapped down on the table, a year-plus into his stint here.—
David Aldridge,
New York Times,
27 Aug. 2025
-
But his vague inferences have been easily slapped down with clear details about prices not being met and no promises being made.—
Zak Garner-Purkis,
Forbes.com,
20 Aug. 2025
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.
Cite this Entry
“Cracked down (on).” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/cracked%20down%20%28on%29. Accessed 14 Oct. 2025.
Copy CitationLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
Share