crackdown: meaning, definition, pronunciation and examples
B2Formal to neutral; common in news, political, and administrative contexts.
Quick answer
What does “crackdown” mean?
A severe set of measures, often by authorities, to stop undesirable activities or enforce laws more strictly.
Audio
Pronunciation
Definition
Meaning and Definition
A severe set of measures, often by authorities, to stop undesirable activities or enforce laws more strictly.
A concerted, often sudden, official campaign to suppress or control something seen as a problem, involving stricter laws, increased surveillance, or harsher penalties.
Dialectal Variation
British vs American Usage
Differences
No significant difference in meaning or usage. Slight preference for hyphenated form 'crack-down' is more common in some historical UK publications, but 'crackdown' is now standard in both.
Connotations
Identical. Both imply decisive, often punitive, official action.
Frequency
Equally common in both varieties, given its frequent use in international news and political discourse.
Grammar
How to Use “crackdown” in a Sentence
crackdown on [NP]crackdown against [NP]launch/order/begin a crackdownVocabulary
Collocations
Examples
Examples of “crackdown” in a Sentence
verb
British English
- The council voted to crack down on littering in the park.
- Authorities are finally cracking down on nuisance bikers.
American English
- The mayor promised to crack down on corruption.
- The IRS is cracking down on fraudulent tax returns.
adverb
British English
- The police moved crackdown-style through the estate.
- It was a crackdown-inspired reform.
American English
- The mayor governed in a crackdown manner.
- The agency acted crackdown-fast.
adjective
British English
- The crackdown measures were widely criticised.
- A new crackdown policy was announced.
American English
- The crackdown effort resulted in hundreds of arrests.
- They implemented a series of crackdown tactics.
Usage
Meaning in Context
Business
Refers to regulatory actions, e.g., 'a crackdown on tax evasion'.
Academic
Used in political science, sociology, and law to describe state actions of social control.
Everyday
Used in news discussions, e.g., 'There's a new crackdown on speeding in our town.'
Technical
Less common; in security contexts, can mean a coordinated operation against threats.
Vocabulary
Synonyms of “crackdown”
Watch out
Common Mistakes When Using “crackdown”
- Using 'crackdown' as a verb (the verb is 'crack down', two words). Incorrect preposition: 'crackdown for' (should be 'crackdown on').
FAQ
Frequently Asked Questions
As a noun, it is one word: 'crackdown'. As a verb, it is two words: 'to crack down'.
Not always. While it can imply forceful action, it can also refer to non-violent but strict enforcement of rules, like a 'crackdown on tax fraud'.
It depends on perspective. Authorities may frame it positively (e.g., 'crackdown on corruption'), while those targeted or civil liberties groups may view it negatively.
They are near synonyms. 'Crackdown' can sound more sudden and severe, while 'clampdown' might imply sustained pressure and control. They are often used interchangeably.
A severe set of measures, often by authorities, to stop undesirable activities or enforce laws more strictly.
Crackdown is usually formal to neutral; common in news, political, and administrative contexts. in register.
Crackdown: in British English it is pronounced /ˈkræk.daʊn/, and in American English it is pronounced /ˈkræk.daʊn/. Tap the audio buttons above to hear it.
Phrases
Idioms & Phrases
- “To come down hard (on someone/something) - similar meaning but more informal.”
Learning
Memory Aids
Mnemonic
Imagine a large CRACK appearing in the ground as the police come DOWN hard on crime.
Conceptual Metaphor
AUTHORITY IS A HEAVY, CRUSHING FORCE (coming down to crush something).
Practice
Quiz
Which preposition most commonly follows the noun 'crackdown'?