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Definition of clampdown

clampdown

/ˈklæmp.daʊn/
clamp · down
Plural:clampdowns
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clampdown Lexical Profile

clampdown Game Scores & Validity

• noun

1

A sudden, strict, or forceful action taken by an authority to suppress, restrict, or stop an undesirable or illegal activity.

Example

"The municipal government announced a strict clampdown on corporate tax evasion and unlicensed street vending."

Synonyms
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Antonyms
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Word Nuance & Usage

The closed one-word form 'clampdown' is exclusively a noun, whereas the two-word phrasal form 'clamp down' functions as a verb (often followed by the preposition 'on').

• Nearby Words

clamor
clamorous
clamp
clampdown
clamshell
clamshell falls
clan

Word Origin & Etymology

Coined in the mid-20th century as a nominalization of the phrasal verb 'clamp down,' evoking the literal action of tightening a mechanical clamp to restrict movement.

Cite this Entry

Wordmom. (2026). Definition of Clampdown. In Wordmom Dictionary. Retrieved Nov 5, 2026, from https://wordmom.com/dictionary/clampdown
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