cracks down (on)

verb

present tense third-person singular of crack down (on)
as in suppresses
to put a stop to (something) by the use of force a repressive government that cracked down on political demonstrations

Synonyms & Similar Words

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Antonyms & Near Antonyms

Example Sentences

Recent Examples of Synonyms for cracks down (on)
  1. suppresses
  2. quells
  3. subdues
  4. represses
Verb
  • Its Hybrid Active Noise Cancellation effectively suppresses low-frequency drone and office chatter, while custom 40mm drivers deliver rich, balanced sound reinforced by Ultra Bass technology.
    — Juhi Wadia, PC Magazine, 8 Sep. 2026
  • Ambiguity suppresses adoption more effectively than skepticism.
    — Pankaj Prasoon, Forbes.com, 2 Sep. 2026
Definition of suppresses
Verb
  • Powered by chemical agents, this provides apt UV protection while hyaluronic acid improves hydration levels, niacinamide quells inflammation, and allantoin keeps skin soothed.
    — Kiana Murden, Vogue, 8 Sep. 2026
  • Newsom has not said if the newer version of the bill quells this concern.
    — Evelyn Ronan, Sacbee.com, 25 June 2026
Definition of quells
Verb
  • In person, Huang subdues his ironic braggadocio with polite eye contact and rolling belly laughs at his own jokes.
    — Mariella Rudi, Los Angeles Times, 1 July 2026
  • El Nino also subdues the hurricane season in the Atlantic because there is so much heat in the Pacific that outcompetes the Atlantic, Berardelli added.
    — ABC News, ABC News, 8 May 2026
Definition of subdues
Verb
  • Typically, bees stop laying eggs during the winter, or at least slow down activity, which represses mite activity.
    — Los Angeles Times, Los Angeles Times, 23 May 2026
  • The portrait of a woman who represses and conceals a rape struck a chord as the #MeToo movement took off and put Trobisch on the map.
    — Melanie Goodfellow, Deadline, 11 Feb. 2026
Definition of represses
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

cracks
cracks down (on)
cracksman
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Cite this Entry

“Cracks down (on).” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/cracks%20down%20%28on%29. Accessed 13 Sep. 2026.

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