clampdown

1 of 2

noun

clamp·​down ˈklamp-ˌdau̇n How to pronounce clampdown (audio)
: the act or action of making regulations and restrictions more stringent
a clampdown on charge accounts, bank loans, and other inflationary influencesTime

clamp down

2 of 2

verb

clamped down; clamping down; clamps down

intransitive verb

: to impose restrictions : crack down
the police are clamping down on speeders

Examples of clampdown in a Sentence

Verb the need to clamp down on petty crime in the city
Recent Examples on the Web
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
Noun
Donald Trump ordered a sweeping clampdown on government spending within days of entering the White House. Jonathan Granoff, Newsweek, 29 Jan. 2025 Trump’s campaign promises included turning America into a global crypto leader, complete with a national bitcoin stockpile—a radical departure from the clampdowns of Biden’s administration. Nina Bambysheva, Forbes, 20 Jan. 2025
Verb
Trump on Monday agreed to pause for 30 days 25% tariffs on imports from Mexico and Canada, after both countries agreed to take steps to clamp down on opioid fentanyl crossing their borders into the United States. Chloe Taylor, CNBC, 5 Feb. 2025 The memo was rescinded, although the underlying Trump executive orders to clamp down on spending that does not align with his policies on climate, DEI and more do remain. Will Weissert, Chicago Tribune, 2 Feb. 2025 See all Example Sentences for clampdown 

Word History

First Known Use

Noun

1940, in the meaning defined above

Verb

1938, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of clampdown was in 1938

Dictionary Entries Near clampdown

Cite this Entry

“Clampdown.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/clampdown. Accessed 13 Feb. 2025.

Kids Definition

clamp down

verb
: to act in a strict and forceful manner to stop something
laws clamping down on fraud

More from Merriam-Webster on clampdown

Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
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