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

Verb

• clamp down (on)
• crush
• put down
• quash
• quell
• repress
• silence
• slap down
• snuff (out)
• squash
• squelch
• subdue
• suppress

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

The move comes as the government intensifies a crackdown on the LGBTQ+ community. —The Editors Of Artnews, ARTnews.com, 19 July 2024

Nguyen Xuan Phuc quits amid Communist Party corruption crackdown In a surprise move, the Politburo awarded Trong on Thursday with the Gold Star medal, the country’s highest honor for public officials. —Reuters, CNN, 18 July 2024

Verb

Trump also wants to crack down on immigration, which could cut off the stream of immigrant workers who have buoyed the strong U.S. labor market without rekindling inflation. —Rebecca Picciotto, CNBC, 12 July 2024

Salt Lake City bar owners say Utah liquor regulators are cracking down on straw tests — a common technique used to ensure the quality of a cocktail. —Erin Alberty, Axios, 11 July 2024

Word History

First Known Use

Noun

1935, in the meaning defined above

Verb

1939, in the meaning defined above

Kids Definition

crack down

verb

ˈkrak-ˈdau̇n

: to take strong action especially to control or put down

crack down on crime

crackdown

-ˌdau̇n

noun