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crackdown

[ krak-doun ]

/ ˈkrækˌdaʊn /

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SEE MORE SYNONYMS FOR crackdown ON THESAURUS.COM

noun

the severe or stern enforcement of regulations, laws, etc., as to root out abuses or correct a problem.

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RELATED WORDS

clampdown, repression, suppression, strike, crush, end, stop

Nearby words

cracka, crackajack, crackberry, crackbrain, crackbrained, crackdown, cracked, cracked heel, cracked heels, cracked up, cracked wheat

Origin of crackdown

1930–35, Americanism; noun use of verb phrase crack down

Dictionary.com Unabridged Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2019

Examples from the Web for crackdown

A crackdown on a Tiananmen scale is on many minds, even if no one has the foggiest idea what Beijing is planning.
Hong Kong Between Calm and Chaos|Ben Leung|October 3, 2014|DAILY BEAST
In total, nine infants have reportedly seized by the military in the crackdown.
The Wild, Wild West of Thai Surrogacy|Emily Shire|August 7, 2014|DAILY BEAST
“It dealt with the consequences of the Green Movement crackdown and how it affected the lives of a family,” said Panahi.
Jafar Panahi: Filmmaking Ban Is My Iranian Prison|Jamsheed Akrami|July 8, 2014|DAILY BEAST
Particular bars and nightclubs are earmarked as gay-friendly despite the crackdown, members told The Daily Beast.
Al-Sisi’s Egypt Is Worse For Gays Than The Muslim Brotherhood|Bel Trew|June 28, 2014|DAILY BEAST

Miriam recalls her last conversation with her brother being about him trying to help members of his group escape the crackdown.
Egypt’s Black Site Torture Camps|Jesse Rosenfeld|June 19, 2014|DAILY BEAST
Then there was a crackdown on Catholics, with houses being searched for hiding places for priests.
Our Legal Heritage, 5th Ed.|S. A. Reilly

Word Origin and History for crackdown

crackdown

also crack down; 1935 (n.), 1940 (v.), from verbal phrase, from crack (v.) + down (adv.).

Online Etymology Dictionary, © 2010 Douglas Harper