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
Time
clamped down; clamping down; clamps down
: to impose restrictions : crack down
the police are clamping down on speeders
Examples of clampdown in a Sentence
Verb
the need to clamp down on petty crime in the city
Recent Examples on the Web
Omkar Khandekar, NPR, 23 Apr. 2025
Others are predicting a return to the anything-goes approach to FARA that pervaded the foreign influence industry before the special counsel’s investigation led to a clampdown in the first Trump administration.
—Kenneth P. Vogel, New York Times, 14 Feb. 2025
Kevin Dotson, CNN Money, 8 Apr. 2025
United have pursued an aggressive strategy of cost-cutting under the minority ownership of Sir Jim Ratcliffe, who has cut jobs from the club, as well as raising ticket prices at Old Trafford, clamping down on staff expenses and cancelling the annual staff Christmas party.
—Mark Critchley, New York Times, 8 Apr. 2025
See All Example Sentences for clampdown
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Noun
The years since the clampdown saw a dramatic fall in the number of violent attacks.
—Omkar Khandekar, NPR, 23 Apr. 2025
Others are predicting a return to the anything-goes approach to FARA that pervaded the foreign influence industry before the special counsel’s investigation led to a clampdown in the first Trump administration.
—Kenneth P. Vogel, New York Times, 14 Feb. 2025
Verb
Florida clamps down and wins a title The critical moment came a few seconds later.
—Kevin Dotson, CNN Money, 8 Apr. 2025
United have pursued an aggressive strategy of cost-cutting under the minority ownership of Sir Jim Ratcliffe, who has cut jobs from the club, as well as raising ticket prices at Old Trafford, clamping down on staff expenses and cancelling the annual staff Christmas party.
—Mark Critchley, New York Times, 8 Apr. 2025
See All Example Sentences for clampdown
Cite this Entry
“Clampdown.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/clampdown. Accessed 2 May. 2025.
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