SLAPPING DOWN Synonyms: 67 Similar and Opposite Words

slapping down

verb

present participle of slap down

as in sitting on

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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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 slapping down As lawyers crowded in, Reddington could be seen slapping down a sheaf of papers. — Eren Orbey, New Yorker, 4 Sep. 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

Recent Examples of Synonyms for slapping down

Verb

There is something instructive in the agent concluding a diatribe on quelling revolutionary violence with a note about feeling inspired.

— Stephanie Wambugu, Vulture, 12 Oct. 2026
The break with Callaway was the first sign that Good Good’s attempts at quelling the crisis were not going well after Clark’s statement on social media Wednesday night.

— Kyle Feldscher, CNN Money, 27 Aug. 2026

Definition of quelling

Verb

According to Iran Human Rights Monitor, the force has evolved into a powerful internal security institution involved in suppressing anti-government demonstrations, monitoring political activity and enforcing the regime's ideological restrictions.

— Emma Bussey, FOXNews.com, 11 Oct. 2026
Cybersecurity specialist Daniel Kellner (Josh O’Connor) decides to turn whistleblower upon discovering that the US government has been suppressing evidence of extra-terrrestrial life, as part of a cover-up that goes back decades.

— Tom Bailey, Space.com, 9 Oct. 2026

Definition of suppressing

Verb

The school's head teacher, Krzysztof Ochmanski, was injured while subduing the teenager, officials said.

— James Cirrone, FOXNews.com, 8 Oct. 2026
The handful of Israeli passengers grappled with the copilot for several minutes before subduing him and binding his hands with the cord from a set of headphones.

— Arkansas Online, Arkansas Online, 2 Oct. 2026

Definition of subduing

Verb

Egyptian authorities alternated over the decades between tolerating and repressing the group, which was permitted to field candidates in elections for brief periods.

— Los Angeles Times, Los Angeles Times, 2 Oct. 2026
When elites are strong, dictators need to accommodate them, often by repressing outsiders to shield insiders from potential challenges.

— José Kaire, The Conversation, 17 July 2026

Definition of repressing

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slapping

slapping down

slaps

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“Slapping down.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/slapping%20down. Accessed 18 Oct. 2026.

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Synonyms of slapping down

verb

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