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

clamp down (on)

verb

Definition of clamp down (on)

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

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Example Sentences

Recent Examples of Synonyms for clamp down (on)

Verb

Europe hardens on migration as nationalist support grows European countries sought to harden migration rules in a bid to quell support for nationalist parties across the continent.

— Nicholas Wu, semafor.com, 2 Oct. 2026
Riot police deployed to quell a protest typically arrange themselves into a square tactical unit.

— Sophie Landres, Artforum, 1 Oct. 2026

Definition of quell

Verb

After security forces suppressed peaceful protests with lethal force, many opponents of military rule took up arms, plunging large parts of the country into conflict.

— ABC News, ABC News, 8 Oct. 2026
What explains this difficulty in suppressing the Canal Street counterfeiters?

— Daniel Edward Rosen, Washington Post, 8 Oct. 2026

Definition of suppress

Verb

His actions nearly crashed the flight with 182 people on board before passengers and others rushed in and subdued him.

— ABC News, ABC News, 3 Oct. 2026
Abiy has tried and failed to subdue Tigray’s rebellious leaders in recent months, with TPLF Chairman Debretsion Gebremichael openly challenging him.

— Rodney Muhumuza, Los Angeles Times, 3 Oct. 2026

Definition of subdue

Verb

All of these features sit on a durable Goodyear® Performance Outsole, so from the heel to the toe and from the top to the bottom, their feet are in for a solid, supportive run.

— Katie Decker-Jacoby, StyleCaster, 7 Oct. 2026
Both clubs sit on hills surrounded by pine trees, offering a cool escape from the city and a novel way to immerse yourself in something that has become a fixture of 2026 Medellín.

— Nikkita Nair, Condé Nast Traveler, 7 Oct. 2026

Definition of sit on

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clamp down

clamp down (on)

clamped

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“Clamp down (on).” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/clamp%20down%20%28on%29. Accessed 10 Oct. 2026.

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Synonyms of clamp down (on)

verb

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