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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Example Sentences
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Recent Examples of slap down
Council plans Hammersmith and Fulham, the local council where the trial is happening, has previously slapped down bike sharing companies for cluttering up streets, but Lime and Human Forest both operate there now.
—
Nicole Kobie, Forbes, 21 Jan. 2025
Whether or not that played into the Board of Medicine’s actions, the body slapped down the Settlement Agreement and offered a Counter Settlement Agreement, which Simmons accepted.
—David J. Neal, Miami Herald, 15 Jan. 2025
Biden didn’t respond to those demands directly, leaving it to Schumer and Jeffries to slap down Trump’s debt-limit demand.
—Alexander Bolton, The Hill, 24 Dec. 2024
Recent examples of people acting out of this same humble presumption—and being slapped down for it—are abundant.
—Gal Beckerman, The Atlantic, 13 Dec. 2024
See All Example Sentences for slap down
Nicole Kobie, Forbes, 21 Jan. 2025
Whether or not that played into the Board of Medicine’s actions, the body slapped down the Settlement Agreement and offered a Counter Settlement Agreement, which Simmons accepted.
—David J. Neal, Miami Herald, 15 Jan. 2025
Biden didn’t respond to those demands directly, leaving it to Schumer and Jeffries to slap down Trump’s debt-limit demand.
—Alexander Bolton, The Hill, 24 Dec. 2024
Recent examples of people acting out of this same humble presumption—and being slapped down for it—are abundant.
—Gal Beckerman, The Atlantic, 13 Dec. 2024
See All Example Sentences for slap down
Recent Examples of Synonyms for slap down
Verb
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Anti-Diversity Policies: The U.S. State Department is seeking to quell a diplomatic tempest roiling Europe after several American Embassies sent letters to foreign contractors instructing them to certify their compliance with Trump’s policies aimed at unraveling diversity programs.—
Victoria Kim,
New York Times,
4 Apr. 2025
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Rubio sought to quell anxieties among his European counterparts as Trump’s tariffs take effect, the president mulls withdrawing from NATO altogether and U.S. support for Ukraine hangs in the balance.—
Alexis Simendinger,
The Hill,
4 Apr. 2025
Verb
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To tell the Blue Devils, basically, not to suppress their emotions.—
Brendan Marks,
New York Times,
27 Mar. 2025
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The new, later Equal Pay Day marks a troubling reminder of how systemic barriers—ranging from occupational segregation to discrimination in hiring and promotion—continue to suppress the earning power of Black women.—
Jasmine Browley,
Essence,
25 Mar. 2025
Verb
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The clean, modern lines, subdued colors, abundant natural light, and open floor plan all checked out.—
Berit Thorkelson,
Better Homes & Gardens,
1 Apr. 2025
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Looking ahead, Wolf reckoned that EMs can move higher if the U.S. dollar continues to weaken and the impact of tariffs on overall trade is subdued.—
Amala Balakrishner,
CNBC,
31 Mar. 2025
Verb
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The top golfers are putting down their clubs and pulling up a chair ahead of Masters Tournament.—
Sabrina Weiss,
People.com,
8 Apr. 2025
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Zaca Mesa Winery put down roots in 1973 and became the first in the region to plant Syrah in 1978.—
Paul Caputo,
Forbes.com,
7 Apr. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Slap down.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/slap%20down. Accessed 16 Apr. 2025.
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