as in suppressed
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 slapped down
Kalshi won a key case last week when a federal appeals court slapped down an attempt by New Jersey to curb the platform.
—
Justin Papp,garrett Downs, CNBC, 15 Apr. 2026
Right away, he got slapped down by the Revolutionary Guard.
—NBC news, 15 Mar. 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
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
Justin Papp,garrett Downs, CNBC, 15 Apr. 2026
Right away, he got slapped down by the Revolutionary Guard.
—NBC news, 15 Mar. 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
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
Recent Examples of Synonyms for slapped down
Verb
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Earlier, Britain suppressed a communist insurgency in Malaya, today part of Malaysia.—
Arthur I. Cyr,
Chicago Tribune,
21 Apr. 2026
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The lawyer noted the statement could be suppressed in court if it was obtained through leading questions, a prolonged interrogation, or coercive tactics.—
Lauryn Overhultz,
FOXNews.com,
20 Apr. 2026
Verb
-
Redick shouted out Bronny James for his efforts against Indiana after the game, lauding his defensive intensity – often being switched onto Pacers All-Star forward Pascal Siakam, and holding his own – along with a late mid-range jumper that quelled concerns of a once-improbable Indiana comeback.—
Benjamin Royer,
Oc Register,
26 Mar. 2026
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The shooter killed an instructor and wounded two others before the ROTC cadets attacked him and quelled the threat, showing incredible bravery in the face of danger.—
Nicole Russell,
USA Today,
26 Mar. 2026
Verb
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The siege, a success for Sulla, subdued the rebellious city back beneath the thumb of the Roman Republic.—
Taylor Mitchell Brown,
Scientific American,
20 Apr. 2026
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Here, the spa is far smaller and subdued in design, although treatments are the same.—
Condé Nast,
Condé Nast Traveler,
15 Apr. 2026
Verb
-
Both Richard and Gonzalez said the best way to avoid hurting a worker, yourself, or another driver is pretty simple-- slow down, increase your following distance, and put down the distractions.—
Elle Meyers,
CBS News,
20 Apr. 2026
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By then, Ava Gardner had put down real estate roots in Madrid, and made this property her Stateside home base.—
Katie Schultz,
Architectural Digest,
16 Apr. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Slapped down.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/slapped%20down. Accessed 24 Apr. 2026.
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