clamp down

verb

Definition of clamp downnext
as in to rein (in)

Related Words

Relevance

Dissimilar Words

Example Sentences

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.
Recent Examples of clamp down Trump knows, if the war doesn’t end soon, global oil, fertilizer and other commodities shortages will clamp down on the global economy. — John Seiler, Oc Register, 9 June 2026 The White House and Congress are working on a deal to clamp down on what US citizens are allowed to say online. — Joe Wilkins, Futurism, 10 June 2026 In January 2025, the president polled particularly well with his promise to clamp down on undocumented immigration. — Tristan Bove, Fortune, 24 June 2026 Secretary of State Marco Rubio has for months been working to seal an agreement between the Israeli and Lebanese governments to clamp down on Hezbollah and allow Israel to withdraw its forces from Southern Lebanon. — Vivian Salama, The Atlantic, 27 June 2026 See All Example Sentences for clamp down
Recent Examples of Synonyms for clamp down
  1. turn back
  2. brake
  3. hold back
  4. check
  5. arrest
  6. stamp
  7. squash
  8. suppress
Verb
  • The conversation turned back to what has changed in how distribution has evolved internationally, due to streaming.
    — Kambole Campbell, Variety, 6 July 2026
  • There was no immediate explanation for the ships that turned back on Friday and Saturday, though Iran has repeatedly said that vessels should only transit the strait through the route designated and authorized by the Islamic Republic.
    — Weilun Soon, Fortune, 5 July 2026
Definition of turn back
Verb
  • The system uses a three-level braking architecture that combines retarder braking, electric braking, and mechanical braking to improve safety during operation under demanding mining conditions.
    — Neetika Walter, Interesting Engineering, 3 July 2026
  • If modern vehicles are so reliant on software for everything from displaying driving speeds to braking in some models, free OTA software updates could save drivers the hassle of bringing their cars into an authorized dealer for repairs.
    — Charles Singh, USA Today, 1 July 2026
Definition of brake
Verb
  • The delay is attributed to Rockstar strategically holding back the trailer, as pre-orders already generated significant buzz.
    — Brian Mazique, Forbes.com, 30 June 2026
  • And Scott Galloway, an NYU Stern marketing professor and host of The Prof G Pod podcast, agrees that workers are being held back by remote work.
    — Emma Burleigh, Fortune, 30 June 2026
Definition of hold back
Verb
  • Incredibly, this is actually the second time Mexico fans have forced seismologists to check their equipment.
    — Alejandro Avila OutKick, FOXNews.com, 2 July 2026
  • Before choosing a whitening method, check the care label for guidance on water temperature, safe cleaning agents, and recommended drying methods.
    — Quincy Bulin, Southern Living, 1 July 2026
Definition of check
Verb
  • On July 1, Russian daredevils climbed to the tip of the building's spire before getting engaged, and then arrested.
    — Bryan West, USA Today, 4 July 2026
  • Two people were arrested and charged with murder Thursday in the 2024 overdose death of a Fort Worth man, according to online jail records.
    — Lillie Davidson, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 4 July 2026
Definition of arrest
Verb
  • The Council's 20% test widens that gap and stamps it as compliant.
    — Ingmar Rentzhog, Forbes.com, 4 July 2026
  • The Derya Arms shotgun was stamped that that it was manufactured in the country of Turkey, according to FBI agents who searched the home.
    — Logan Smith, CBS News, 30 June 2026
Definition of stamp
Verb
  • In one montage played for laughs, an emperor is squashed by a panda and a king is beheaded, although there is no blood or guts to speak of.
    — Patrick Ryan, USA Today, 1 July 2026
  • Luckily, this deal squashes that qualm by knocking over $300 from the sticker shocker!
    — Kelsey Fogarty, PC Magazine, 1 July 2026
Definition of squash
Verb
  • Record-setting heat is suspected in 25 deaths from the Deep South to the Midwest to the East Coast, authorities said, with the temperature highs also suppressing some Fourth of July celebrations.
    — Dennis Romero, NBC news, 5 July 2026
  • When coated onto a polypropylene separator with graphene, the material formed a thin interfacial layer that readily absorbed electrolyte while suppressing polysulfide migration.
    — Neetika Walter, Interesting Engineering, 3 July 2026
Definition of suppress

Browse Nearby Words

clamp
clamp down
clamp down (on)
See all Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Clamp down.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/clamp%20down. Accessed 7 Jul. 2026.

Copy Citation

More from Merriam-Webster on clamp down

Nglish: Translation of clamp down for Spanish Speakers

Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
Love words? Need even more definitions?

Subscribe to America's largest dictionary and get thousands more definitions and advanced search—ad free!

Popular in Grammar & Usage

See More

Is that lie 'bald-faced' or 'bold-faced'?

'A' or 'an'? What about before 'h'? An Indefinite Article Guide

Why is '-ed' sometimes pronounced at the end of a word?

Commonly Misspelled Words

How to Use Em Dashes (—), En Dashes (–) , and Hyphens (-)
See More

Popular in Wordplay

See More

14 Phobias You Probably Haven't Heard Of

The Longest Long Words List

One-Word Oxymorons: Bittersweet, Spendthrift, and More

Ten Words Ending with a Silent ‘T’

12 Lovely and Unusual Words for the Natural World
See More

Popular

See More

Is that lie 'bald-faced' or 'bold-faced'?

14 Phobias You Probably Haven't Heard Of

The Longest Long Words List
See More

Games & Quizzes

See All
Play Quordle: Guess all four words in a limited number of tries. Each of your guesses must be a real 5-letter word.
Quordle Can you solve 4 words at once?
Play Blossom: Solve today's spelling word game by finding as many words as you can using just 7 letters. Longer words score more points.
Blossom Pick the best words!
Play Missing Letter: a crossword with a twist. Each of the 25 puzzle words start with a different letter of the alphabet. Which letter is missing?
The Missing Letter A daily crossword with a twist
hangman letters and game
Hangman Lightning Round Figure out which word fits in the blanks.
See All