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
In a wild twist, one of ICE's SUVs was towed mid-arrest—turning their crackdown into a symbol of resistance. Billal Rahman, MSNBC Newsweek, 17 Aug. 2025 Kristin Henning, director of the Juvenile Justice Clinic and Initiative at Georgetown University Law Center, says even if the numbers were increasing, such a crackdown isn't necessary. Meg Anderson, NPR, 16 Aug. 2025
Verb
The Republican governors of Ohio, South Carolina and West Virginia have agreed to send hundreds of additional National Guard troops to Washington, D.C., for the president's agenda to crack down on crime. Brittney Melton, NPR, 18 Aug. 2025 The president’s efforts to crack down on crime is an incredibly popular policy that everyday Americans support. Julia Bonavita, FOXNews.com, 14 Aug. 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 22 Aug. 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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