clampdown

noun
clamp·​down | \ ˈklamp-ˌdau̇n How to pronounce clampdown (audio) \

Definition of clampdown

 (Entry 1 of 2)

: the act or action of making regulations and restrictions more stringent a clampdown on charge accounts, bank loans, and other inflationary influencesTime

clamp down

verb
clamped down; clamping down; clamps down

Definition of clamp down (Entry 2 of 2)

intransitive verb

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

Examples of clampdown in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web: Noun

The clampdown effort actually started under President Barack Obama. Tom Benning, Dallas News, "Trump takes aim at 'golden visa' program that's pumped hundreds of millions of dollars in investment into Texas," 24 Aug. 2019 The government has also failed to explain its legal basis for locking up many Kashmiri politicians, including ones who are relatively moderate, during the clampdown. The Economist, "In its struggle to subdue Kashmir, India is stripping it of liberties," 15 Aug. 2019 Activist groups have argued that the information clampdown could provide cover for further human rights abuses. Vidya Krishnan, Los Angeles Times, "Panic in the world’s largest refugee settlement: ‘I will kill ... my entire family if I am forced to leave’," 19 Aug. 2019 Still, the power dynamics apparent in the image resonated with criticism of the treatment migrants are receiving during the clampdown by Mexico. NBC News, "Guatemalan mother begs soldier to let her and 6-year-old son enter U.S.," 26 July 2019 Private companies, hardest hit by Beijing’s clampdown in recent years on financial risk and an economic slowdown aggravated by trade tensions, accounted for 45 of the 52 defaulting issuers. Shen Hong, WSJ, "Default Fears Add Fresh Stress to Chinese Private Sector," 11 Jan. 2019 But more than just wanting a clampdown on immigration, Tanton also took issue with the fact that Latinos were becoming a demographic force in the United States. Los Angeles Times, "John Tanton, quiet architect of America’s modern-day anti-immigrant movement, dies at 85," 18 July 2019 The ensuing clampdown resulted in at least 128 people killed across Sudan, according to protest organizers. Anchorage Daily News, "At least 7 dead as Sudanese stage protests against army rule," 30 June 2019 More than 100 people were killed and hundreds wounded since then, according to protest organizers, in a sweeping clampdown by security forces. Hussein Malla And Samy Magdy, USA TODAY, "Sudan’s former President Omar al-Bashir seen in public for first time since ouster," 14 June 2019

These example sentences are selected automatically from various online news sources to reflect current usage of the word 'clampdown.' Views expressed in the examples do not represent the opinion of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.

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First Known Use of clampdown

Noun

1940, in the meaning defined above

Verb

1938, in the meaning defined above

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More Definitions for clampdown

clampdown

noun

English Language Learners Definition of clampdown

: an increased effort to make sure that people obey laws and rules