clampdown

1 of 2

noun

clamp·​down ˈklamp-ˌdau̇n 

: the act or action of making regulations and restrictions more stringent

a clampdown on charge accounts, bank loans, and other inflationary influences

—Time

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

Synonyms

Verb

• crack down (on)
• crush
• put down
• quash
• quell
• repress
• silence
• slap down
• snuff (out)
• squash
• squelch
• subdue
• suppress

Examples of clampdown in a Sentence

Verb

the need to clamp down on petty crime in the city

Recent Examples on the Web

Noun

These policies have fueled a sense of siege, as have years of security clampdowns, curfews, communication blackouts, and the detention of Kashmiri political leaders. —Sushant Singh, Foreign Affairs, 29 Apr. 2025

This is a significant clampdown on current interest charged for borrowing on card. —Raja Krishnamoorthi, Newsweek, 13 Mar. 2025

Verb

The lodgings were often concrete bunker-like structures left over from Franco’s dictatorship or big package resorts built before the government clamped down on development in the 1980s. —Julia Chaplin, Travel + Leisure, 13 May 2025

And these divisions between the generations are so apparent in this small town where the Gen Z characters really want to push for a more forward-thinking, more progressive society, whereas the older folk in town want to clamp down and keep things the same. —Christian Zilko, IndieWire, 8 May 2025

Word History

First Known Use

Noun

1940, in the meaning defined above

Verb

1938, in the meaning defined above

Rhymes for clampdown

• adown
• blowdown
• breakdown
• countdown
• crackdown
• crosstown
• downtown
• drawdown
• dropdown
• facedown
• godown
• hometown

Kids Definition

clamp down

verb

: to act in a strict and forceful manner to stop something

laws clamping down on fraud