crackdown

[ krak-doun ]

/ ˈkrækˌdaʊn /

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noun

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

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Origin of crackdown

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

Words nearby crackdown

crack a joke, crack a smile, crackberry, crackbrain, crackbrained, crackdown, cracked, cracked heels, cracked up, cracked wheat, cracker

Dictionary.com Unabridged Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023

How to use crackdown in a sentence

The latest crackdown by Nigeria’s central bank on cryptocurrency has elicited outrage and confusion in a country where virtual currency has boomed in the last five years.
The latest move by Nigeria’s Central Bank aims to burst the country’s cryptocurrency bubble|Tolu Olasoji|February 9, 2021|Quartz
Behind the scenes, marketers have been scrambling for answers in the days following Apple’s “early spring” deadline for its crackdown on companies using its Identifiers for Advertisers to track people.
‘You can find those audiences elsewhere’: Advertisers scramble for answers after Apple’s IDFA update|Seb Joseph|February 4, 2021|Digiday
The Kremlin said that the crackdown was appropriate and that the protests were led by “hooligans and provocateurs.”
Russian opposition leader Navalny ordered jailed, calls on supporters to keep pressure on Putin|Isabelle Khurshudyan, Robyn Dixon|February 2, 2021|Washington Post
Thousands have left their homes amid fears of a crackdown from Beijing.
Hong Kongers in the UK, India’s budget hopes, travel in 2021|Jordan Lebeau|January 31, 2021|Quartz

With the authorities’ crackdown on FBK, she is well aware of the risks she faces.
The Inside Story of How Alexey Navalny Uncovered Putin's $1.3 Billion Palace|Madeline Roache|January 29, 2021|Time
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
In other words, make fireworks less available for home misuse and develop an ever tougher crackdown on drunk drivers.
How Not to Blow Yourself Up on July 4th|Kent Sepkowitz|July 3, 2014|DAILY BEAST
Florida, which began a pill mill crackdown in 2010, saw a 50 percent decrease in overdose deaths from oxycodone in 2012.
Painkiller Overdoses Kill More Than One American Every Hour|Abby Haglage|July 1, 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

British Dictionary definitions for crackdown

crack down

verb (intr, adverb often foll by on)

to take severe measures (against); become stricter (with)

noun crackdown

severe or repressive measures

Collins English Dictionary - Complete & Unabridged 2012 Digital Edition © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012

Other Idioms and Phrases with crackdown