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
Time and time again, courts have slapped down these strong-arm tactics that lack the force of law.
—
Bob Morgan, Chicago Tribune, 2 Jan. 2026
The production runs for 2026 and 2027 are sold out, but future flyers can jump in the queue for the 2028 build now by slapping down a deposit of US$8,000.
—New Atlas, 14 Oct. 2025
And that’s the big ol’ marker general manager Adam Peters has slapped down on the table, a year-plus into his stint here.
—David Aldridge, New York Times, 27 Aug. 2025
But his vague inferences have been easily slapped down with clear details about prices not being met and no promises being made.
—Zak Garner-Purkis, Forbes.com, 20 Aug. 2025
See All Example Sentences for slap down
Bob Morgan, Chicago Tribune, 2 Jan. 2026
The production runs for 2026 and 2027 are sold out, but future flyers can jump in the queue for the 2028 build now by slapping down a deposit of US$8,000.
—New Atlas, 14 Oct. 2025
And that’s the big ol’ marker general manager Adam Peters has slapped down on the table, a year-plus into his stint here.
—David Aldridge, New York Times, 27 Aug. 2025
But his vague inferences have been easily slapped down with clear details about prices not being met and no promises being made.
—Zak Garner-Purkis, Forbes.com, 20 Aug. 2025
See All Example Sentences for slap down
Recent Examples of Synonyms for slap down
Verb
-
Later in the video, Rogers used a fire extinguisher to quell some of the flames on the exterior of the door.—
Sam Gillette,
PEOPLE,
14 May 2026
-
This effort to include everyone did not quell protests.—
Marisa Ingemi,
Los Angeles Times,
14 May 2026
Verb
-
Dramatic currents, once suppressed, here bloom unashamed.—
Russell Platt,
New Yorker,
20 May 2026
-
Keith arrests our thinking, and cons us into suppressing our critical faculties with the same kind of internalized surveillance that philosopher Michel Foucault broke down to describe a prison’s use of the panopticon in Discipline and Punish.—
Literary Hub,
Literary Hub,
19 May 2026
Verb
-
Sentiment has remained subdued ever since.—
David Goldman,
CNN Money,
14 May 2026
-
The atmosphere at the Palace game was strangely subdued, to begin with, lacking the edge or jeopardy that would usually be associated at this stage of the season.—
Daniel Taylor,
New York Times,
14 May 2026
Verb
-
The best way to enjoy it is simply to arrive a little earlier, bring something to drink, sit on the rocks and let the moment unfold naturally.—
David Hochman,
Forbes.com,
20 May 2026
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The justices ruled 6-3 that Kennedy and his predecessor in the Biden administration had the ability to name the experts who sit on the panel.—
Tami Luhby,
CNN Money,
20 May 2026
Verb
-
In the coming weeks, the land will be graded, gravel will be put down and plumbing will be connected to supply the water.—
Laylan Connelly,
Oc Register,
20 May 2026
-
Its clerical rulers, who put down a mass uprising at the start of the year, have faced no sign of organized opposition since the war began.—
Reuters,
NBC news,
20 May 2026
Cite this Entry
“Slap down.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/slap%20down. Accessed 23 May. 2026.
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