slap down

verb

Definition of slap downnext
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

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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 Right away, he got slapped down by the Revolutionary Guard. — NBC news, 15 Mar. 2026 The White House argued that a national security law dating back to the 1970s—the International Emergency Economic Powers Act (IEEPA)—gives the President the authority to declare an emergency and slap down tariffs on his own. — Philip Wang, Time, 21 Jan. 2026 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 See All Example Sentences for slap down
Recent Examples of Synonyms for slap down
  1. quell
  2. suppress
  3. subdue
  4. sit on
  5. put down
Verb
  • Hundreds of people were getting killed every year at street-level crossings, and to quell the public outcry, the railroads scrambled to elevate freight tracks citywide at their own expense.
    — John Lippert, Chicago Tribune, 6 Sep. 2026
  • The Season 3 finale jumps right into Daniel waking up a whole new person in Silo 1, summoned to quell the rebellion quickly going out of control in Silo 17 — Jimmy’s (Steve Zahn) home.
    — Dessi Gomez, Deadline, 4 Sep. 2026
Definition of quell
Verb
  • The superconductivity weakened with the screening and was eventually completely suppressed.
    — Neetika Walter, Interesting Engineering, 5 Sep. 2026
  • The prairies’ clayey soils and other characteristics suppress tree growth, but allow native grasses, wildflowers and other herbaceous plants to thrive.
    — Charles Seabrook, AJC.com, 5 Sep. 2026
Definition of suppress
Verb
  • As the President sat down to eat with the press corps, a would-be assassin stormed through a security checkpoint before being subdued by the Secret Service.
    — Antonia Hitchens, New Yorker, 4 Sep. 2026
  • According to Tisch, Cisneros then waved her knives and began to advance on the officers, who attempted to subdue the woman with a Taser before employing lethal force.
    — Chris Spargo, PEOPLE, 1 Sep. 2026
Definition of subdue
Verb
  • Eight of the top 10 largest stadiums in the world sit on college campuses, but college teams are far more regionalized than NFL squads.
    — Dana O’Neil, CNN Money, 4 Sep. 2026
  • Invitations to the Bass event featured the names of every CAL board member, including three who sit on city boards or commissions.
    — Los Angeles Times, Los Angeles Times, 4 Sep. 2026
Definition of sit on
Verb
  • During his testimony, the prosecution produced a spiral notebook in which Clancy had left instructions for caretakers on when to put down the baby, which vegetables to prepare for dinner, how to cut up the sweet potatoes.
    — Eren Orbey, New Yorker, 4 Sep. 2026
  • The military government put down the rebellion with brutal force.
    — Mahbub Abdillahi, Christian Science Monitor, 3 Sep. 2026
Definition of put down

Browse Nearby Words

slapdash
slap down
slaphappy
See all Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Slap down.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/slap%20down. Accessed 10 Sep. 2026.

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