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Definition of crackdown

crackdown

/ˈkrækdaʊn/
crack · down
Plural:crackdowns
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crackdown Lexical Profile

crackdown Game Scores & Validity

• noun

1

A series of severe or decisive measures taken to restrict, suppress, or punish undesirable or illegal behavior, or to enforce rules and laws more strictly.

Example

"The city council announced a strict crackdown on illegal parking in the downtown business district."

Synonyms
View all synonyms for crackdown
Antonyms
View all antonyms for crackdown

Word Nuance & Usage

The one-word form "crackdown" is always a noun, whereas the two-word form "crack down" is a phrasal verb (e.g., "a crackdown on crime" vs. "to crack down on crime").

• Rhymes for crackdown

• Nearby Words

crabtree falls
crabwise
crack
crackdown
cracked
cracker
crackerjack

Word Origin & Etymology

Formed in the 1930s in American English as a nominalization of the phrasal verb "crack down," likely evoking the sharp strike of a whip or gavel to enforce order.

Cite this Entry

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