come down hard on

VERB

admonish

Synonyms

STRONGEST

advise berate censure chide enjoin exhort rebuke reprimand scold upbraid warn

STRONG

check counsel ding forewarn glue growl hoist notice rap reprove

WEAK

call down call on the carpet draw the line give a going over give a piece of one's mind jack up rap on knuckles sit on slap on wrist speak to talk to tell a thing or two tell off

Antonyms

STRONGEST

allow compliment flatter laud permit praise

WEAK

applaud approve commend extol

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.

People want her to come down hard on one side or the other about family vloggers — with many snarkers wanting to be vindicated for their hatred — but she has resisted.

From Salon • May 10, 2026

Writers I respect have come down hard on it.

From Los Angeles Times • Jun. 1, 2023

Police had also warned they would come down hard on anyone who violated Washington’s gun laws.

From Seattle Times • Sep. 20, 2021

Apparently, Churchill Downs treasures the Derby’s status enough to come down hard on rule breakers, even one who has stood in the winner’s circle seven times.

From New York Times • May 13, 2021

More than once, Glerk’s foot had come down hard on a cruel-cornered wooden rattle, sending him howling with pain.

From "The Girl Who Drank the Moon" by Kelly Barnhill

come down hard on

Example Sentences

Related Words