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

The crackdown ​reflects ⁠growing concern within the government that rising spending on gambling has drained household budgets and contributed to record levels of indebtedness. — Reuters, NBC news, 26 Sep. 2026

College Principal Robert Wafula said the training ensures the correct message is taught to congregations and has helped in other countries such as Rwanda, where the government closed 70 Quaker churches in a recent crackdown led by untrained pastors. — ABC News, 26 Sep. 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