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
These examples are automatically compiled from online sources to illustrate current usage. Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.
Noun
In its vehicle enforcement crackdown, D.C. has towed 288 cars with a total of $2.1 million in unpaid tickets, the city administrator announced this week. Anna Spiegel, Axios, 25 Oct. 2024 Netflix has seen a surge in subscriptions in the aftermath of its crackdown on password sharing . Sean Conlon, CNBC, 23 Oct. 2024
Verb
Plus, cities are cracking down on short-term rentals. Sami Sparber, Axios, 27 Oct. 2024 The party has become increasingly authoritarian, adopting laws that are similar to those used by Russia to crack down on freedom of speech. Democrat-Gazette Staff From Wire Reports, arkansasonline.com, 27 Oct. 2024 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

Dictionary Entries Near crackdown

crackbrain

crackdown

crack down

Cite this Entry

“Crackdown.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/crackdown. Accessed 10 Nov. 2024.

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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