noun

crackdown

/ˈkrækdaʊn/ · say it: KRAK·down

a sudden, severe effort to stop an activity

In From the Front Page

In more detail

1. (noun) a series of strict measures taken to stop or punish illegal or undesirable behavior

2. (noun) a sudden, forceful government action against a group of people or an activity

Examples

1. The government launched a crackdown on corruption in the police force.
2. The military crackdown on protesters resulted in many arrests.

How to use crackdown

Crackdown typically implies stern, swift action by authorities against something deemed problematic or illegal. It carries a somewhat negative or dramatic connotation, suggesting forceful suppression rather than gentle enforcement. The term is common in news and political discourse and often focuses on organized efforts to eliminate an activity or group deemed undesirable.

Common phrases

crackdown on corruption
crackdown on crime
launch a crackdown
severe crackdown
government crackdown
police crackdown

Synonyms

clampdown · suppression · repression · enforcement action · crackdown operation

Opposites

tolerance · permissiveness

Word family

crack down (verb)

A common mistake

Learners sometimes use crackdown to describe mild enforcement or warnings, but it specifically denotes intensive, forceful measures—not routine policing.

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