SLAP DOWN Synonyms: 67 Similar and Opposite Words

slap down

verb

Definition of slap down

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

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 slap down The majority also slapped down his global tariffs, finding that only Congress had the authority to impose them. — Nicholas Riccardi, Los Angeles Times, 28 June 2026 Today the Supreme Court slapped down the move made by a federal appeals court last year to overturn Hernandez's conviction. — Alex Nitzberg, FOXNews.com, 22 June 2026 Right away, he got slapped down by the Revolutionary Guard. — NBC news, 15 Mar. 2026 The White House argued that a national security law dating back to the 1970s—the International Emergency Economic Powers Act (IEEPA)—gives the President the authority to declare an emergency and slap down tariffs on his own. — Philip Wang, Time, 21 Jan. 2026 See All Example Sentences for slap down

Recent Examples of Synonyms for slap down

Verb

The quiet moments of the offseason were eventually quelled by the madness of a young locker room, on a team replete with potential.

— Alex Zietlow, Charlotte Observer, 15 Oct. 2026
The French government has already promised 3,000 extra teachers in a bid to quell the unrest.

— Chloe Taylor, CNBC, 15 Oct. 2026

Definition of quell

Verb

Optional filters can be slotted in each module (when available) to suppress city lighting, adjust for solar imagery, and cater for different wavelengths.

— New Atlas, New Atlas, 15 Oct. 2026
But Uthmeier contends an overly broad reading of the First Amendment’s Establishment Clause has been twisted into a tool to suppress Christians and other believers.

— Miami Herald, Miami Herald, 15 Oct. 2026

Definition of suppress

Verb

Two nurses helped subdue the actress, who was taken to the hospital for evaluation.

— Chris Gardner, HollywoodReporter, 15 Oct. 2026
The interplay between the vocal harmonies phasing from side to side is clear, though the upper melody sounds subdued during the track's busier sections.

— Mark Knapp, PC Magazine, 15 Oct. 2026

Definition of subdue

Verb

Because of the weather, Douglas and his team had to sit on the tarmac for an hour and a half, fearing the whole time that the Moroccan authorities would catch on to their plan and show up to quarantine or arrest them.

— Jim Hemphill, IndieWire, 13 Oct. 2026
But agency heads, especially those who sit on bipartisan boards or commissions, cannot completely ignore Democratic lawmakers, and may move cautiously on very contentious issues, said executives.

— Reuters, NBC news, 13 Oct. 2026

Definition of sit on

Verb

There’s a lot of hype for the iPhone Duo, and this system should provide Apple with a good sense of how many customers are willing to put down money before preorders open.

— Cameron Faulkner, The Verge, 15 Oct. 2026
Clarkson then returns to the front of the store and puts down the kaleidoscope before addressing an employee behind the counter.

— Jessica Schladebeck, New York Daily News, 14 Oct. 2026

Definition of put down

Browse Nearby Words

slapdash

slap down

slaphappy

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

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Synonyms of slap down

verb

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