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
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Recent Examples of slap down
The politics of the remote voting proposal shifted dramatically Thursday when Trump effectively sided with Luna and slapped down Johnson.
—
Dave Goldiner, New York Daily News, 4 Apr. 2025
Both were affected by Murray showing physical resistance and slapping down at the ball as Brown went into his shot.
—Bennett Durando, The Denver Post, 3 Mar. 2025
Rose has mortgaged her house and slapped down $25,000 Euros to be treated at a clinic run by Dr. Gomez (Vincent Perez), whose methods lean more into analysis than medicine.
—David Rooney, The Hollywood Reporter, 14 Feb. 2025
That number was tallied after a federal judge in Massachusetts slapped down a lawsuit brought by unions challenging the program.
—Zachary Schermele, USA TODAY, 20 Feb. 2025
See All Example Sentences for slap down
Dave Goldiner, New York Daily News, 4 Apr. 2025
Both were affected by Murray showing physical resistance and slapping down at the ball as Brown went into his shot.
—Bennett Durando, The Denver Post, 3 Mar. 2025
Rose has mortgaged her house and slapped down $25,000 Euros to be treated at a clinic run by Dr. Gomez (Vincent Perez), whose methods lean more into analysis than medicine.
—David Rooney, The Hollywood Reporter, 14 Feb. 2025
That number was tallied after a federal judge in Massachusetts slapped down a lawsuit brought by unions challenging the program.
—Zachary Schermele, USA TODAY, 20 Feb. 2025
See All Example Sentences for slap down
Recent Examples of Synonyms for slap down
Verb
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The Trump administration has engaged in efforts to quell dissent in corporate America, the civil service, universities and the media.—
Katie Benner,
New York Times,
1 May 2025
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Seemingly hoping to quell the backlash, the strange fliers seem like an attempt to push back by sowing discord.—
ArsTechnica,
ArsTechnica,
25 Apr. 2025
Verb
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Orwell authored 1984, a bleak vision of the future where an authoritarian regime weaponizes language to suppress independent thought and rewrite history.—
Jason Snyder,
Forbes.com,
14 May 2025
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However, consistent, long-term stress can wear down your immune system, exposing you to inflammation and suppressing your body's response to infections.2 UTIs occur when the urinary tract, including the kidneys, ureters, bladder, and urethra, is infected.—
Brittany Dube,
Health,
13 May 2025
Verb
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Hundreds of Ghor are killed, stormtroopers patrol the streets, and KX-series security droids are unleashed like hulking monsters, subduing random humans to death.—
Jesse Hassenger,
Vulture,
7 May 2025
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Nichols fled after being pulled from his car and was later subdued and struck repeatedly with fists, boots, a Taser and a baton.—
Sacbee.com,
Sacbee.com,
7 May 2025
Verb
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The uprising was put down by government forces during Uruguay’s military dictatorship, and Mujica was subsequently imprisoned for nearly 15 years, enduring many forms of torture.—
Michael Rios,
CNN Money,
13 May 2025
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Pets who don't get adopted or returned to their original owners are often put down to make space for newcomers.—
Maria Azzurra Volpe,
MSNBC Newsweek,
12 May 2025
Cite this Entry
“Slap down.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/slap%20down. Accessed 18 May. 2025.
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