clampdown

1 of 2

noun

clamp·​down ˈklamp-ˌdau̇n How to pronounce clampdown (audio)
: the act or action of making regulations and restrictions more stringent
a clampdown on charge accounts, bank loans, and other inflationary influencesTime

clamp down

2 of 2

verb

clamped down; clamping down; clamps down

intransitive verb

: to impose restrictions : crack down
the police are clamping down on speeders

Examples of clampdown in a Sentence

Verb the need to clamp down on petty crime in the city
Recent Examples on the Web
These examples are automatically compiled from online sources to illustrate current usage. Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.
Noun
The clampdown on surrogacy comes against the backdrop of falling birthrates, with national statistics institute ISTAT saying in March that births had dropped to a record low in 2023 — the 15th consecutive annual decline. Reuters, NBC News, 16 Oct. 2024 State of play: More recently, the Biden administration's border clampdown may be changing that, as evidenced by falling apprehensions of those trying to cross the U.S.-Mexico border. Courtenay Brown, Axios, 30 Sep. 2024
Verb
Georgian Dream also launched a clamp down on LGBTQ rights, including backing an October bill that would outlaw gender transitions and could ban pride parades and displays of the rainbow flag. Cybele Mayes-Osterman, USA TODAY, 28 Oct. 2024 Two years on, Russia’s invasion of Ukraine still grinds on unabated, while domestically the Kremlin clamps down on almost ever aspect of daily public life. Alexander Smith, NBC News, 11 Oct. 2024 See all Example Sentences for clampdown 

Word History

First Known Use

Noun

1940, in the meaning defined above

Verb

1938, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of clampdown was in 1938

Dictionary Entries Near clampdown

Cite this Entry

“Clampdown.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/clampdown. Accessed 8 Nov. 2024.

Kids Definition

clamp down

verb
: to act in a strict and forceful manner to stop something
laws clamping down on fraud

More from Merriam-Webster on clampdown

Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
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