crackdown

1 of 2

noun

crack·​down ˈkrak-ˌdau̇n 

: an act or instance of cracking down

crack down

2 of 2

verb

cracked down; cracking down; cracks down

intransitive verb

: to take positive regulatory or disciplinary action

Synonyms

Verb

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

Examples of crackdown in a Sentence

Noun

Companies that pollute are the target of a new crackdown.

Verb

a repressive government that cracked down on political demonstrations

Recent Examples on the Web

Noun

Economists expect Trump’s plans for new tariffs and an immigration crackdown to boost labor costs and reignite inflation. —Nicole Fallert, USA TODAY, 31 Dec. 2024

Amid opposition protests and a harsh crackdown, opposition candidate Edmundo González went into exile in Spain. —Jill Lawless, Los Angeles Times, 30 Dec. 2024

Verb

The White House is urging the Federal Communications Commission to crack down on U.S. telecom providers after at least nine were breached in a massive Chinese hacking and spying campaign that targeted senior government officials. —Francesca Chambers, USA TODAY, 27 Dec. 2024

Surprise cracks down on towing fees after resident complains about $4K bill 'Bless you all': $1,300 gold coin donated in Salvation Army kettle in Phoenix Surprise Councilman Ken Remley dies at 80, served city 8 years Christmas shooting at Phoenix Sky Harbor Airport leads to injuries, arrests. —Jose R. Gonzalez, The Arizona Republic, 27 Dec. 2024

Word History

First Known Use

Noun

1935, in the meaning defined above

Verb

1939, in the meaning defined above

Kids Definition

crack down

verb

ˈkrak-ˈdau̇n

: to take strong action especially to control or put down

crack down on crime

crackdown

-ˌdau̇n

noun