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clampdown

clampdown

3 6.6
A sudden action by authorities to stop illegal or harmful activity
  • noun
  • /ˈklæmpˌdaʊn/
translation icon : represión
  • I suspect a very serious clampdown on casino capitalism would help.

Examples

  • Such a possibility is real, but it does not justify a clampdown on hedge funds.

    Academic text (2007)
  • There's been a clampdown on illegal aliens... marrying for residency status... and a green card.

  • In that case, she says, "I have absolutely no doubt whatsoever that there will be a clampdown."

    Academic text (1998)
  • The clampdown, however, made no distinction between ancient and modern DNA.

    Academic text (2009)
  • Another side effect not covered is what happens when cities like NYC realize this and institute a major clampdown.

    Blog text (34)
  • If such attitudes are widespread within the ruling party, a clampdown on dissent may be inevitable.

    Academic text (1991)
  • A severe security clampdown and the use of the police to break up demonstrations worsened already precarious relations between the Catholic community and the Protestant-dominated policing structures.

    Academic text (2006)
  • When terrorists attacked Saudis in Saudi Arabia in 2003, the government became considerably more serious about dealing with internal terrorism, including a clampdown on radical clerics and preachers.

    Academic text (2014)
  • Angela Merkel will spell out growing German concerns about the clampdown on civil society in Russia when she meets Vladimir Putin on Friday, signaling a sharp cooling of the traditionally close German-Russian partnership.

    Blog text (14)
  • The government announced a strict clampdown on illegal street racing to ensure public safety.

Synonyms

lockdown
vsclampdown
112 4.2

A period when people must stay in one place and cannot go out for safety

is a sudden attempt to stop activity rather than limit general movement
crackdown
vsclampdown
  • Literature
73 5.6

Strong actions by officials to stop illegal activity

is a sudden attempt focused on quick control rather than prolonged severity
banning
vsclampdown
8 3.9

Making something not allowed by law or officials

is a sudden attempt aimed at quick control rather than formal legal change
quelling
vsclampdown
8.4

An action that uses force or power to stop something quickly

is a sudden attempt aiming to stop or control without always using force

Antonyms

1.0

The right to act, speak, or think as you want without being stopped

127 3.9

The act of setting people free from control or unfair treatment

How Strict

to ban
  • Formal
484 1.4
crackdown
  • Literature
73 5.6
clampdown
3 6.6
enforcement
912 3.9
restriction
340 3.0
warning
1.0

Surface Forms

clampdown singular
clampdowns plural

Morphology

clampdown = clamp + down (semi-transparent) = clamp + down

Derived from the phrasal verb 'clamp down' (to act to suppress); the metaphorical extension to an official 'clampdown' may not be fully obvious to all learners.

Etymology

Clampdown comes from clamp, a tool that 'holds things tightly', and down, meaning 'press or lower'. So a clampdown is like pressing down on an activity to stop or control it.