clamp·down
ˈklamp-ˌdau̇n 
: the act or action of making regulations and restrictions more stringent
… a violent clampdown on suspected Communists …—
Marie Arana
Marie Arana
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
Amy Lawrence,
New York Times,
15 June 2026
Sweden’s parliament has approved a law forcing many public employees to report migrants lacking legal status, part of a broader clampdown as the EU overhauls migration rules; teachers, doctors and social workers are exempt.
—
Claudia Ciobanu,
Los Angeles Times,
15 June 2026
Vivian Salama,
The Atlantic,
27 June 2026
In January 2025, the president polled particularly well with his promise to clamp down on undocumented immigration.
—
Tristan Bove,
Fortune,
24 June 2026
See All Example Sentences for clampdown
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Noun
Of all the regulations FIFA have imposed for this World Cup, the most psychedelic concerns a clampdown on suppliers of cannabis goods in Toronto.
—
Amy Lawrence,
New York Times,
15 June 2026
Sweden’s parliament has approved a law forcing many public employees to report migrants lacking legal status, part of a broader clampdown as the EU overhauls migration rules; teachers, doctors and social workers are exempt.
—
Claudia Ciobanu,
Los Angeles Times,
15 June 2026
Verb
Secretary of State Marco Rubio has for months been working to seal an agreement between the Israeli and Lebanese governments to clamp down on Hezbollah and allow Israel to withdraw its forces from Southern Lebanon.
—
Vivian Salama,
The Atlantic,
27 June 2026
In January 2025, the president polled particularly well with his promise to clamp down on undocumented immigration.
—
Tristan Bove,
Fortune,
24 June 2026
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 Jul. 2026.
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