as in suppressed
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 slapped down
Court strikes down California mask law The 9th Circuit Court of Appeals slapped down a California law that would have forced immigration agents and other law enforcement officers to display ID while on duty.
—
Gustavo Arellano, Los Angeles Times, 23 Apr. 2026
Kalshi won a key case last week when a federal appeals court slapped down an attempt by New Jersey to curb the platform.
—Justin Papp,garrett Downs, CNBC, 15 Apr. 2026
Right away, he got slapped down by the Revolutionary Guard.
—NBC news, 15 Mar. 2026
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
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
Gustavo Arellano, Los Angeles Times, 23 Apr. 2026
Kalshi won a key case last week when a federal appeals court slapped down an attempt by New Jersey to curb the platform.
—Justin Papp,garrett Downs, CNBC, 15 Apr. 2026
Right away, he got slapped down by the Revolutionary Guard.
—NBC news, 15 Mar. 2026
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
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
Recent Examples of Synonyms for slapped down
Verb
-
The 2021 army takeover triggered massive public resistance that was brutally suppressed, triggering a bloody civil war that has killed thousands of people.—
ABC News,
ABC News,
30 Apr. 2026
-
The market value of media and entertainment stocks remains suppressed, however, amid intensifying competition from tech and streaming companies.—
Dade Hayes,
Deadline,
27 Apr. 2026
Verb
-
Anxiety quelled, the party starts back up, with Bambaataa spinning a record by James Brown.—
Doreen St. Félix,
New Yorker,
25 Apr. 2026
-
What could not be as easily quelled were the puns.—
ABC News,
ABC News,
17 Apr. 2026
Verb
-
How the suspect was subdued The shooting incident took place near the main magnetometer screening area at the White House Correspondents' Association Dinner, according to the Secret Service.—
Luke Barr,
ABC News,
26 Apr. 2026
-
The tone of both parties was subdued.—
Brian Steinberg,
Variety,
26 Apr. 2026
Verb
-
Be Strong Families can help the professors put down the gauntlet and join the conversation.—
Chicago Tribune,
Chicago Tribune,
29 Apr. 2026
-
On the other half, Lind had put down gravel and installed empty shipping containers and trailers suitable for potential tenants.—
Tessa Stuart,
Rolling Stone,
23 Apr. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Slapped down.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/slapped%20down. Accessed 1 May. 2026.
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