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
Trump ordered the tariffs amid his border crackdown. Peter Sblendorio, New York Daily News, 5 Feb. 2025 Fear for life of journalist jailed amid Georgian government crackdown The Aga Khan, spiritual leader of the world's Ismaili Muslims, dies at 88 In: Dogs Wolf Animal Shelters Pet Adoption Kansas Emily Mae Czachor Emily Mae Czachor is a reporter and news editor at CBSNews.com. Emily Mae Czachor, CBS News, 5 Feb. 2025
Verb
President Donald Trump called for unity in his speech at the National Prayer Breakfast on Thursday morning — largely steering clear of addressing controversies around his actions cracking down on immigration and paralyzing federal efforts to distribute international aid. Nicole Acevedo, NBC News, 6 Feb. 2025 Iran went even further during the Biden administration, which was unable to negotiate a return to the JCPOA and essentially shut down formal talks after Iranian security forces started cracking down on anti-regime demonstrations in 2022. Kristan Hawkins, Newsweek, 6 Feb. 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

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 Feb. 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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