crackdown

1 of 2

noun

crack·​down ˈkrak-ˌdau̇n How to pronounce crackdown (audio)
: 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

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
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
The raid signals a new crackdown Castro’s aggressive tactics against drug trafficking in Rio De Janeiro mirror the right-wing tactics of his former ally, former president Jair Bolsonaro, and could be a move for Castro to score political points on the issue of organized crime. Rebecca Schneid, Time, 29 Oct. 2025 The crackdown came soon after; Zion Church was shut down, and Jin was barred from leaving the country. Jessie Yeung, CNN Money, 29 Oct. 2025
Verb
Both cities had become key fronts in the conflict after Assad’s forces began cracking down on peaceful protesters the previous year. Rob Picheta, CNN Money, 28 Oct. 2025 The company cracked down on parties and implemented a number of new safety measures in 2019 in response to a deadly shooting at an Airbnb booking that left five dead. Samantha Subin, CNBC, 27 Oct. 2025 See All Example Sentences for crackdown

Word History

First Known Use

Noun

1935, in the meaning defined above

Verb

1939, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of crackdown was in 1935

Browse Nearby Words

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Cite this Entry

“Crackdown.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/crackdown. Accessed 30 Oct. 2025.

Kids Definition

crack down

verb
ˈkrak-ˈdau̇n
: to take strong action especially to control or put down
crack down on crime
crackdown
-ˌdau̇n
noun

More from Merriam-Webster on crackdown

Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
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