slap down

verb

slapped down; slapping down; slaps down

transitive verb

1
: to prohibit or restrain usually abruptly and with censure from acting in a specified way : squelch
2
: to put an abrupt stop to : suppress

Examples of slap down in a Sentence

public protests against the dictatorial government were always promptly slapped down
Recent Examples on the Web
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
Then this week, Steele slapped down a bid to stay his preliminary injunction. Alex Nitzberg, FOXNews.com, 30 May 2025 Trump slapped down a small group of blue state Republican lawmakers, mostly from the New York suburbs, who are pushing for a big increase in the deduction for state and local taxes, or SALT. Dave Goldiner, New York Daily News, 20 May 2025 He was slapped down by Justice Roger B. Taney (yes, that Taney, the author of the Dred Scott decision). Ruth Marcus, New Yorker, 12 May 2025 The Sun’s reporting was once again slapped down by Liam on his X account on Monday (May 5), confirming that the song will appear on the setlist. Thomas Smith, Billboard, 6 May 2025 See All Example Sentences for slap down

Word History

First Known Use

1842, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Time Traveler
The first known use of slap down was in 1842

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Cite this Entry

“Slap down.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/slap%20down. Accessed 5 Jun. 2025.

Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
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