CRACK DOWN (ON) Synonyms: 67 Similar and Opposite Words

crack down (on)

verb

Definition of crack down (on)

as in to quell

to put a stop to (something) by the use of force a repressive government that cracked down on political demonstrations

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Recent Examples of Synonyms for crack down (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

Trump spent time discussing the April attack in his remarks, thanking the law enforcement personnel who subdued the suspect.

— Todd Spangler, Variety, 25 July 2026
The suspect in the shooting at the April dinner, Cole Tomas Allen, was subdued a floor above the ballroom after allegedly shooting a Secret Service officer in his ballistic vest while running through a security checkpoint.

— Bart Jansen, USA Today, 24 July 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

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crackbrains

crack down (on)

cracked

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“Crack down (on).” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/crack%20down%20%28on%29. Accessed 4 Aug. 2026.

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Synonyms of crack down (on)

verb

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