crackdown

1 of 2

noun

crack·​down ˈkrak-ˌdau̇n How to pronounce crackdown (audio)
: 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

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
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
Noun
The decision to admit the Afrikaners, who are a minority in their country, came despite the administration's crackdown on admissions of other asylum seekers. Carlo Versano, MSNBC Newsweek, 13 May 2025 The Post, despite an exodus of high-profile talent, has remained competitive during the second Trump Administration, breaking stories on DOGE and the excesses of the White House’s immigration crackdown. Clare Malone, New Yorker, 12 May 2025
Verb
Best of The Bee: Gavin Newsom wants to crack down on homeless camps. Stephen Hobbs, Sacbee.com, 14 May 2025 Foreign governments are increasingly reluctant to crack down on U.S. tech firms—not just because of their digital leverage and economic clout but also because doing so could provoke official backlash from Washington. Ian Bremmer, Foreign Affairs, 13 May 2025 See All Example Sentences for crackdown

Word History

First Known Use

Noun

1935, in the meaning defined above

Verb

1939, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of crackdown was in 1935

Browse Nearby Words

See all Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Crackdown.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/crackdown. Accessed 20 May. 2025.

Kids Definition

crack down

verb
ˈkrak-ˈdau̇n
: to take strong action especially to control or put down
crack down on crime
crackdown
-ˌdau̇n
noun

More from Merriam-Webster on crackdown

Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
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