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

Domestically, the pivot has translated to a crackdown on immigration and even tourism, drawing criticism that Takaichi is encouraging xenophobia. — Jason Ma, Fortune, 4 Oct. 2026

Local officials estimated that Springfield, a city of about 60,000 people, had roughly 10,000 to 15,000 Haitian immigrants before the termination of TPS and recent immigration crackdowns. — Jacqueline Charles, Miami Herald, 4 Oct. 2026

Verb

The first major announcement of the week came Wednesday, when the OECD’s Global Forum on Steel Excess Capacity agreed on the sidelines to crack down on countries that contribute to steel overproduction — a clear shot at Beijing. — Eleanor Mueller, semafor.com, 1 Oct. 2026

Federal investigators are actively cracking down on universities that allow biological males into female sports divisions or private locker rooms. — Alejandro Avila Outkick, FOXNews.com, 29 Sep. 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