clampdown

1 of 2

noun

clamp·​down ˈklamp-ˌdau̇n 

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

… a violent clampdown on suspected Communists …

—Marie Arana

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 of clampdown

Verb

• quell
• suppress
• crack down (on)
• subdue
• sit on

Examples of clampdown in a Sentence

Verb

the need to clamp down on petty crime in the city

Recent Examples on the Web

Noun

Ever since the January uprisings against the regime, Tehran has enforced a bloody clampdown against its opponents. — Beth Bailey, FOXNews.com, 9 June 2026

Iran’s vow to escalate its clampdown on the Hormuz Strait indicates that oil exports from the Persian Gulf are unlikely to increase anytime soon. — Kevin Breuninger, CNBC, 1 June 2026

Verb

The fish will inhale the lure and clamp down hard. — Joe Cermele, Outdoor Life, 17 June 2026

Now that China is clamping down on nitazenes, orphines are on the rise. — Jonathan Moens — Bellingcat, STAT, 18 June 2026

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