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

Domestically, the pivot has translated to a crackdown on immigration and even tourism, drawing criticism that Takaichi is encouraging xenophobia. — Jason Ma, Fortune, 4 Oct. 2026

Local officials estimated that Springfield, a city of about 60,000 people, had roughly 10,000 to 15,000 Haitian immigrants before the termination of TPS and recent immigration crackdowns. — Jacqueline Charles, Miami Herald, 4 Oct. 2026

Verb

Even as researchers explore what's causing the problem, momentum is gathering among policymakers from both parties to crack down on social media companies. — Darius Tahir, CBS News, 8 Oct. 2026

Multiple Mecklenburg towns have passed ordinances cracking down on ebikes in recent months, and a Charlotte City Council committee asked Charlotte-Mecklenburg Police to draft a proposal for city ordinance changes in August. — Mary Ramsey, Charlotte Observer, 8 Oct. 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