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

clamping down (on)

verb

present participle of clamp down (on)

as in sitting on

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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Recent Examples of Synonyms for clamping down (on)

Verb

There is something instructive in the agent concluding a diatribe on quelling revolutionary violence with a note about feeling inspired.

— Stephanie Wambugu, Vulture, 12 Oct. 2026
The break with Callaway was the first sign that Good Good’s attempts at quelling the crisis were not going well after Clark’s statement on social media Wednesday night.

— Kyle Feldscher, CNN Money, 27 Aug. 2026

Definition of quelling

Verb

According to Iran Human Rights Monitor, the force has evolved into a powerful internal security institution involved in suppressing anti-government demonstrations, monitoring political activity and enforcing the regime's ideological restrictions.

— Emma Bussey, FOXNews.com, 11 Oct. 2026
Cybersecurity specialist Daniel Kellner (Josh O’Connor) decides to turn whistleblower upon discovering that the US government has been suppressing evidence of extra-terrrestrial life, as part of a cover-up that goes back decades.

— Tom Bailey, Space.com, 9 Oct. 2026

Definition of suppressing

Verb

The school's head teacher, Krzysztof Ochmanski, was injured while subduing the teenager, officials said.

— James Cirrone, FOXNews.com, 8 Oct. 2026
The handful of Israeli passengers grappled with the copilot for several minutes before subduing him and binding his hands with the cord from a set of headphones.

— Arkansas Online, Arkansas Online, 2 Oct. 2026

Definition of subduing

Verb

As lawyers crowded in, Reddington could be seen slapping down a sheaf of papers.

— Eren Orbey, New Yorker, 4 Sep. 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, New Atlas, 14 Oct. 2025

Definition of slapping down

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clamping down

clamping down (on)

clamps

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“Clamping down (on).” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/clamping%20down%20%28on%29. Accessed 13 Oct. 2026.

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Synonyms of clamping down (on)

verb

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