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crack down on

VERB
inveigh
Synonyms
STRONG
admonish berate blast castigate censure condemn except expostulate kick lambaste object protest rail recriminate remonstrate reproach roast scold scorch trash upbraid vituperate
WEAK
go after have at jump down one's throat lay into lay out let have it read out rip into sound off tongue-lash work over
Antonyms
STRONG
accept agree allow approve compliment flatter laud praise uphold
VERB
muzzle
Synonyms
STRONGEST
censor choke clamp down on muffle repress restrain squelch stifle suppress
STRONG
check cork curb hush ice prevent quieten restrict shush silence squash still stop tongue-tie trammel
WEAK
bottle up dry up dummy up shut down
Antonyms
STRONGEST
allow encourage let go permit release
STRONG
aid assist free help
WEAK
liberate
VERB
punish
Synonyms
STRONGEST
abuse chastise correct discipline dismiss execute expel fine harm hurt incarcerate sentence
STRONG
batter beat blacklist castigate chasten cuff debar defrock exile flog immure injure lash lecture maltreat misuse oppress paddle reprove scourge spank switch train whip
WEAK
attend to beat up do in give a going over give the works knock about rap knuckles rough up slap wrist teach a lesson throw the book at
Antonyms
STRONGEST
aid assist benefit compliment help preserve welcome
STRONG
boost guard lose praise protect surrender
WEAK
award exonerate let go reward
VERB
quash
Synonyms
STRONGEST
annul clamp down on invalidate overrule repeal rescind reverse revoke set aside squelch undo vacate veto void
STRONG
abrogate discharge dissolve kill negate overthrow vitiate
WEAK
black out bottle up cork up declare null and void hush up put damper on put the lid on shut down watergate
Antonyms
STRONGEST
allow approve do enforce keep permit sanction validate
WEAK
aid assist help rebuild start support
VERB
suppress
Synonyms
STRONGEST
abolish censor conceal contain cover up crush curb cut off muzzle overcome overthrow put an end to put down quash quell quench repress silence snuff out stamp out stifle subdue withhold
STRONG
annihilate bottle burke check clamp conquer extinguish interrupt muffle overpower shush smother spike squash stop trample
WEAK
beat down bring to naught hold back hold down hold in keep in keep secret put kibosh on put lid on sit on
Antonyms
STRONGEST
aid allow assist build up compliment encourage give in help let go permit praise release sanction start support surrender yield
STRONG
light open

Example Sentences

Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.

See Examples For:

Gen. Rob Bonta held dueling news conferences Thursday, with each touting their efforts to crack down on medical providers accused of needless surgical procedures, sham addiction treatment program, bogus hospice care and other alleged schemes.

From Los Angeles Times ● Oct. 23, 2026

California’s hospice industry has had problems in the past and authorities have tried to crack down on the issue.

From Los Angeles Times ● Oct. 20, 2026

Prime Minister Anthony Albanese led an outpouring of support for Haines, widely praised for her efforts to increase transparency in politics and crack down on corruption.

From Barron's ● Oct. 19, 2026

Airlines UK said it welcomed a commitment to crack down on disruptive passengers.

From BBC ● Oct. 2, 2026

Democratic President Harry S. Truman was running for reelection on a platform that included federal laws intended to crack down on lynchings, poll taxes, and employment discrimination.

From "At Last She Stood" by Erin Entrada Kelly

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