clamp down (on)

verb

Definition of clamp down (on)next
as in to quell
to put a stop to (something) by the use of force the need to clamp down on petty crime in the city

Synonyms & Similar Words

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Antonyms & Near Antonyms

Example Sentences

Recent Examples of Synonyms for clamp down (on)
  1. quell
  2. suppress
  3. subdue
  4. sit on
Verb
  • The Washington National Guard is sending members to assist as emergency crews work to quell the blazes.
    — Martin Goillandeau, CNN Money, 2 Aug. 2026
  • Although, the European Court of Justice did rule in 2023 that both UEFA’s and FIFA’s efforts to quell the upstart league violated the EU’s competition laws.
    — Justin Birnbaum, Sportico.com, 30 July 2026
Definition of quell
Verb
  • People may suppress their personality, emotions, or opinions to fit workplace expectations.
    — Kate Wieczorek, Forbes.com, 1 Aug. 2026
  • As the left and right argue, the disproportionate influence of a select few suppresses the will of the majority.
    — Susan Ostermann, Mercury News, 1 Aug. 2026
Definition of suppress
Verb
  • Consumer prices have likewise been subdued, with a slower-than-expected 1% rise in June from a year ago.
    — Matthew Tan,Evelyn Cheng, CNBC, 3 Aug. 2026
  • Often, the review said, officers had to subdue aggressive dogs by the neck with a catch pole in order to load them onto patrol vehicles without ramps and walk them up to cages, a departure from industry standards.
    — Lucas Robinson, San Diego Union-Tribune, 2 Aug. 2026
Definition of subdue
Verb
  • Plush owls are packed into the kind of old-fashioned leather cases which feature prominently in the Potter films while toys of the stars sit on shimmering circular brass shelves next to decorative magical artifacts such as candles and crystal balls.
    — Caroline Reid, Forbes.com, 31 July 2026
  • The tiny Spanish enclaves of Ceuta and Melilla sit on the northern shores of Morocco’s Mediterranean coast.
    — Jamie Timson, TheWeek, 31 July 2026
Definition of sit on
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.

Browse Nearby Words

clamp down
clamp down (on)
clamped
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Cite this Entry

“Clamp down (on).” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/clamp%20down%20%28on%29. Accessed 5 Aug. 2026.

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