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
Between pushes, the nurse slips the soaked green sheet out from under me, slaps down a clean one.
—
Erica Stern
june 9, Literary Hub, 9 June 2025
And then you'd be slapped down, immediately and politely, as is Hamm's way.
—Marco Della Cava, USA Today, 11 Apr. 2025
Then this week, Steele slapped down a bid to stay his preliminary injunction.
—Alex Nitzberg, FOXNews.com, 30 May 2025
Trump slapped down a small group of blue state Republican lawmakers, mostly from the New York suburbs, who are pushing for a big increase in the deduction for state and local taxes, or SALT.
—Dave Goldiner, New York Daily News, 20 May 2025
See All Example Sentences for slap down
Erica Stern
june 9, Literary Hub, 9 June 2025
And then you'd be slapped down, immediately and politely, as is Hamm's way.
—Marco Della Cava, USA Today, 11 Apr. 2025
Then this week, Steele slapped down a bid to stay his preliminary injunction.
—Alex Nitzberg, FOXNews.com, 30 May 2025
Trump slapped down a small group of blue state Republican lawmakers, mostly from the New York suburbs, who are pushing for a big increase in the deduction for state and local taxes, or SALT.
—Dave Goldiner, New York Daily News, 20 May 2025
See All Example Sentences for slap down
Recent Examples of Synonyms for slap down
Verb
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After years of smoking to help quell her anxiety, Tish found that the drug only made things worse.—
Marina Watts,
People.com,
15 July 2025
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Don’t have a problem using the National Guard to quell rioting in Los Angeles, your anti-democracy.—
Chris Roemer,
Baltimore Sun,
3 July 2025
Verb
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That same resolution created Palestine, which Israel has refused to recognize and has fought to suppress ever since.—
Sun Sentinel Editorial Board,
Sun Sentinel,
11 July 2025
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The building’s sprinkler system suppressed the flames before firefighters completed their operations, bringing the fire under control in under 30 minutes, officials said.—
Aurora Beacon-News,
Chicago Tribune,
11 July 2025
Verb
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But Vásquez Lasso’s partner that day, Officer Miguel Enciso, instead used his Taser to subdue Steven Montano, 21, who is charged with first-degree murder and other felonies in the March 1, 2023, slaying.—
Madeline Buckley,
Chicago Tribune,
16 July 2025
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The overall inflation rate in the Bay Area has remained subdued in recent months.—
George Avalos,
Mercury News,
15 July 2025
Verb
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Unplug Illinois is a campaign created by the Illinois Park and Recreation Association to encourage people to put down their electronic devices and instead play, explore creative fun and enjoy friends, according to city website information.—
Mike Danahey,
Chicago Tribune,
10 July 2025
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Many put down roots while others moved on, restless to find even more land, fewer people, more freedom, and better soil.—
James Dodson
July 7,
Literary Hub,
7 July 2025
Cite this Entry
“Slap down.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/slap%20down. Accessed 25 Jul. 2025.
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