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
Michael Casey, Los Angeles Times, 11 July 2025
In October, Mayor Eric Adams spearheaded a heavy police clampdown called Operation Restore Roosevelt, which consisted of more than 200 additional police officers that reduced crime by 29% in the area, Daughtry said.
—Michael Dorgan, FOXNews.com, 10 July 2025
Martin Shenkman, Forbes.com, 14 July 2025
The audience is in on the suspicion that the problems here will likely exist there, and the dramatic irony is amped up in this particular context, as Germany has been draconian in clamping down on Palestine solidarity.
—Sophie Monks Kaufman, IndieWire, 11 July 2025
See All Example Sentences for clampdown
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Noun
Khalil has become a symbol of Trump’s clampdown on the protests.
—Michael Casey, Los Angeles Times, 11 July 2025
In October, Mayor Eric Adams spearheaded a heavy police clampdown called Operation Restore Roosevelt, which consisted of more than 200 additional police officers that reduced crime by 29% in the area, Daughtry said.
—Michael Dorgan, FOXNews.com, 10 July 2025
Verb
Note that there are some complications to this planning as some states have tried to clamp down on these benefits.
—Martin Shenkman, Forbes.com, 14 July 2025
The audience is in on the suspicion that the problems here will likely exist there, and the dramatic irony is amped up in this particular context, as Germany has been draconian in clamping down on Palestine solidarity.
—Sophie Monks Kaufman, IndieWire, 11 July 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 22 Jul. 2025.
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