as in to quell
to put a stop to (something) by the use of force
public protests against the dictatorial government were always promptly slapped down
Synonyms & Similar Words
Relevance
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
Example Sentences
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.
Recent Examples of slap down
Time and time again, courts have slapped down these strong-arm tactics that lack the force of law.
—
Bob Morgan, Chicago Tribune, 2 Jan. 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, 14 Oct. 2025
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
See All Example Sentences for slap down
Bob Morgan, Chicago Tribune, 2 Jan. 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, 14 Oct. 2025
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
See All Example Sentences for slap down
Recent Examples of Synonyms for slap down
Verb
-
Critics worry that the buffer zones could be used to quell nonviolent demonstrations or criminalize free speech.—
CBS News,
CBS News,
28 May 2026
-
While the emergency response quelled the threat of a violent explosion as of Monday night, 16,000 residents, largely from the city of Stanton, were still unable to return home until all evacuation orders were lifted Tuesday evening.—
Victoria Le,
Oc Register,
27 May 2026
Verb
-
Economists have cautioned that the US-Israeli war with Iran and the related oil and supply shock could suppress hiring activity in the United States.—
Alicia Wallace,
CNN Money,
2 June 2026
-
His puck-moving play was completely suppressed in the offensive zone, too.—
Shayna Goldman,
New York Times,
2 June 2026
Verb
-
His entourage subdued Sirhan as a teenage busboy cradled the injured Kennedy.—
Sophia Zhang,
Encyclopedia Britannica,
29 May 2026
-
The employees subdued Scott in the parking lot and held him down until police arrived.—
Clifford Ward,
Chicago Tribune,
29 May 2026
Verb
-
Tourists sit on a bollard at the Sydney Opera House.—
Anniek Bao,
CNBC,
3 June 2026
-
Check tour lengths in advance and look at what else is on the property — many distilleries sit on historic estates worth wandering for the scenery alone.—
Lauren Schuster,
Fort Worth Star-Telegram,
3 June 2026
Verb
-
But when owner and pitmaster Leonard Botello IV put down roots in the historic Heights area of town in 2019, the city embraced it wholeheartedly.—
Melissa Liebling-goldberg,
PEOPLE,
3 June 2026
-
Everyone in the community center put down their faux salads to stare at us.—
Literary Hub,
Literary Hub,
3 June 2026
Cite this Entry
“Slap down.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/slap%20down. Accessed 5 Jun. 2026.
Copy CitationLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
