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
What To Know According to the Associated Press (AP), the vote enables the county Board of Supervisors to approve rent relief efforts to tenants who cannot afford to pay their monthly costs of living due to the immigration crackdowns. Deputy News Editor, MSNBC Newsweek, 15 Oct. 2025 Trump won reelection on a campaign that promised mass deportations and a crackdown on crime. Allison Gordon, CNN Money, 15 Oct. 2025
Verb
In China, manufacturers have been cracking down on price wars that have raged due to fierce competition. Jim Edwards, Fortune, 14 Oct. 2025 Other bills signed into law Monday morning included bills to regulate AI companion chatbots, crack down on deepfake pornography, and strengthen age verification tools so minors don’t access inappropriate apps. Kate Wolffe, Sacbee.com, 13 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 20 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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