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

The probe is part of the Trump administration's broader crackdown on diversity, equity and inclusion (DEI) initiatives — efforts that have put Colorado universities on high alert. —Ivana Saric, Axios, 14 Mar. 2025

Amid a crackdown by customs and anti-drug trafficking police at the Cap-Haïtien seaport, protests broke out and Haiti’s customs office temporarily halted operations there. —Jacqueline Charles, Miami Herald, 14 Mar. 2025

Verb

Drug traffickers are suspected of having adopted narco-submarines as early as the late ’80s when U.S. authorities cracked down on the powerboats and low-flying aircraft used to bring in drugs then. —Michael Loria, USA TODAY, 14 Mar. 2025

China's steel industry is bracing for a rough patch in the coming months as two key export markets crack down with anti-dumping measures. —Raja Krishnamoorthi, Newsweek, 13 Mar. 2025

Word History

First Known Use

Noun

1935, in the meaning defined above

Verb

1939, in the meaning defined above

Rhymes for crackdown

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

Kids Definition

crack down

verb

ˈkrak-ˈdau̇n

: to take strong action especially to control or put down

crack down on crime

crackdown

-ˌdau̇n

noun