clampdown

1 of 2

noun

clamp·​down ˈklamp-ˌdau̇n How to pronounce clampdown (audio)
: the act or action of making regulations and restrictions more stringent
a clampdown on charge accounts, bank loans, and other inflationary influencesTime

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

Examples of clampdown in a Sentence

Verb the need to clamp down on petty crime in the city
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
And Kimmel’s unprecedented defenestration joins a wave of cultural clampdown that crested earlier this year, when Colbert got the shady can from his parent company, likely for mocking the President. Brittany Allen, Literary Hub, 23 Sep. 2025 Its allure for China's wealthy surged after 2019, when a wave of pro-democracy protests in Hong Kong led to a clampdown by Beijing and the introduction of a national security law the next year. Lee Ying Shan, CNBC, 12 Sep. 2025
Verb
If Lamb is out, opposing defenses will likely clamp down a bit more with only Pickens to worry about as an explosive play threat, which means moving the chains will be a little harder for the rest of the offense. Max Dible, MSNBC Newsweek, 21 Sep. 2025 It's withheld billions in research funding and clamped down on international student visas. September 21, NPR, 21 Sep. 2025 See All Example Sentences for clampdown

Word History

First Known Use

Noun

1940, in the meaning defined above

Verb

1938, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of clampdown was in 1938

Browse Nearby Words

See all Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Clampdown.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/clampdown. Accessed 29 Sep. 2025.

Kids Definition

clamp down

verb
: to act in a strict and forceful manner to stop something
laws clamping down on fraud

More from Merriam-Webster on clampdown

Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
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