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
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
And that suggests his Justice Department will be less excited about slapping down the border initiatives championed by Abbott since the day Biden sent the former president packing.
—John C. Moritz, Austin American-Statesman, 11 Aug. 2024
Here's a list of vaccine myths and facts that slaps down the persistent lies floating around social media and conspiracy websites.
—Matt Jancer, WIRED, 26 Jan. 2022
See All Example Sentences for slap down
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
And that suggests his Justice Department will be less excited about slapping down the border initiatives championed by Abbott since the day Biden sent the former president packing.
—John C. Moritz, Austin American-Statesman, 11 Aug. 2024
Here's a list of vaccine myths and facts that slaps down the persistent lies floating around social media and conspiracy websites.
—Matt Jancer, WIRED, 26 Jan. 2022
See All Example Sentences for slap down
Recent Examples of Synonyms for slap down
Verb
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The state has scrambled to quell the labor dispute.—
Jay Root,
New York Times,
24 Feb. 2025
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Colloidal oatmeal helps quell any requisite inflammation, while tranexamic acid works to fade spots.—
Deanna Pai,
Vogue,
24 Feb. 2025
Verb
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But the desire to fit in with the group or to avoid conflict can often cause individuals to suppress or hide their authentic self.—
Tyler Shepherd,
USA TODAY,
21 Feb. 2025
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Hippler also ruled against other defense motions that objected to the way warrants were issued in the case and that sought to suppress data obtained from Kohberger's cellphone and his Apple, Amazon and Google accounts.—
Dan Perry,
Newsweek,
20 Feb. 2025
Verb
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The pub is first and foremost a refuge from women, occasionally a place to display them, more often a scene of affirmation in the business of subduing them.—
Rachel Cusk,
Harper's Magazine,
19 Feb. 2025
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As the film concludes, Dr. Cawley and Dr. Sheehan exchange a glance before Andrew (a.k.a. Teddy) is apprehended by guards, which indicates that he will be forced to undergo a lobotomy to subdue his violent behavior.—
Nicole Briese,
People.com,
19 Feb. 2025
Verb
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Since kids learn by example, Winston notes that telling kids to put down their phones is futile if parents don’t do the same.—
Melissa Willets,
Parents,
10 Feb. 2025
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Despite the ability of Atatürk’s government to put down the rebellion, the Turkish state grew to fear Kurdish uprisings, leading to policies that included the criminalization of identifying as Kurdish.—
Sefa Secen & Serhun Al / Made by History,
TIME,
7 Feb. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Slap down.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/slap%20down. Accessed 3 Mar. 2025.
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