crackdown

1 of 2

noun

crack·​down ˈkrak-ˌdau̇n 

: an act or instance of cracking down

crack down

2 of 2

verb

cracked down; cracking down; cracks down

intransitive verb

: to take positive regulatory or disciplinary action

Synonyms of crackdown

Verb

• quell
• suppress
• subdue
• sit on
• clamp down (on)

Examples of crackdown in a Sentence

Noun

Companies that pollute are the target of a new crackdown.

Verb

a repressive government that cracked down on political demonstrations

Recent Examples on the Web

Noun

Trump’s immigration crackdown and the ongoing retirement of baby boomers mean fewer people are competing for work. — Paul Wiseman, Fortune, 7 Aug. 2026

The January church service came amid an immigration crackdown in Minnesota and the killing of Renee Good by a federal agent. — Luke Barr, ABC News, 7 Aug. 2026

Verb

Companies are cracking down on AI costs after their AI pushes resulted in serious overspending. — Kristin Stoller, Fortune, 3 Aug. 2026

Officers said the group created a significant public safety hazard and vowed to continue cracking down on similar incidents. — Greg Wehner, FOXNews.com, 3 Aug. 2026

Word History

First Known Use

Noun

1935, in the meaning defined above

Verb

1939, in the meaning defined above

Rhymes for crackdown

• adown
• blowdown
• breakdown
• countdown
• crosstown
• downtown
• drawdown
• dropdown
• facedown
• godown
• hometown
• knockdown

Kids Definition

crack down

verb

ˈkrak-ˈdau̇n

: to take strong action especially to control or put down

crack down on crime

crackdown

-ˌdau̇n

noun