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

cracking down (on)

verb

present participle of crack down (on)

as in sitting on

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 cracking down (on)

Verb

The break with Callaway was the first sign that Good Good’s attempts at quelling the crisis were not going well after Clark’s statement on social media Wednesday night.

— Kyle Feldscher, CNN Money, 27 Aug. 2026
As Matt Reeves is hard at work in Gotham City, James Gunn is quelling some overeager fans about the timeline of the Batman trilogy.

— Glenn Garner, Deadline, 6 Aug. 2026

Definition of quelling

Verb

The party is often lauded for steering the tiny nation toward economic prosperity but has also been criticized for suppressing dissent.

— John Liu, CNN Money, 9 Sep. 2026
These could be damming a river, suppressing natural wildfires, or suppressing beaver damage.

— Stephen Underwood, Hartford Courant, 7 Sep. 2026

Definition of suppressing

Verb

Beer that was fresh, full of flavor and aroma, and hadn’t traveled hundreds of miles or been pasteurized subduing the bright flavors.

— Blaine Callahan, Hartford Courant, 7 Sep. 2026
The drones rip through the hallways scanning for a threat before disorienting a suspect using flashing lights and subduing them using pepper balls or by ramming into their body, the company says.

— Cindy Von Quednow, CNN Money, 24 Aug. 2026

Definition of subduing

Verb

As lawyers crowded in, Reddington could be seen slapping down a sheaf of papers.

— Eren Orbey, New Yorker, 4 Sep. 2026
The production runs for 2026 and 2027 are sold out, but future flyers can jump in the queue for the 2028 build now by slapping down a deposit of US$8,000.

— New Atlas, New Atlas, 14 Oct. 2025

Definition of slapping down

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cracking down (on)

cracking (on)

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“Cracking down (on).” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/cracking%20down%20%28on%29. Accessed 14 Sep. 2026.

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Synonyms of cracking down (on)

verb

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