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

In 2003, as Iran’s national police chief, Ghalibaf played a central role in the violent clampdown on student demonstrations. —Sudarsan Raghavan, New Yorker, 16 Apr. 2026

The waterway typically accounts for about 20% of the world’s petroleum products and the clampdown has caused crude oil prices to skyrocket. —Rob Nikolewski, San Diego Union-Tribune, 20 Mar. 2026

Verb

Prices are up for everyone at the popular Granada Golf Course in Coral Gables as part of a plan by the city to clamp down on overcrowding, reduce wear and tear of the land, and make more money ahead of pricey renovations. —Michelle Marchante, Miami Herald, 17 Apr. 2026

Paul Skenes clamps down after a first-inning homer, and Washington’s bullpen gets shelled in a 16-5 defeat. —Danielle Allentuck, Washington Post, 14 Apr. 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