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

Synonyms of crackdown

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Verb

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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 January, during the broad immigration crackdown in Minnesota known as Operation Metro Surge, officer Christian Castro fired his weapon through a closed door, shooting Julio Sosa-Celis in the leg. — Brittney Melton, NPR, 4 Sep. 2026 Her escape underscores China’s deepening crackdown on underground Christian churches and the lawyers who represent them, even after prominent pastor Ezra Jin’s release in a case raised with Xi Jinping. — Kanis Leung, Los Angeles Times, 3 Sep. 2026
Verb
Citations for impaired driving have also risen, and the department continues to crack down on street takeovers. — Hailey Wang, Los Angeles Times, 1 Sep. 2026 The company initially investigated the problem and cracked down on it but later inexplicably reversed course and abandoned its efforts against Chinese scams, Reuters reported. — Jim Edwards, Fortune, 31 Aug. 2026 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

Rhymes for crackdown

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Browse Nearby Words

crackbrained
crackdown
crack down
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Cite this Entry

“Crackdown.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/crackdown. Accessed 5 Sep. 2026.

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Kids Definition

crack down

verb
ˈkrak-ˈdau̇n
: to take strong action especially to control or put down
crack down on crime
crackdown
-ˌdau̇n
noun
Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
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