Crackdown: meaning, definitions and examples
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crackdown
[ ˈkrakˌdaʊn ]
law enforcement
A crackdown refers to a severe and strict enforcement of laws or regulations. It often involves actions taken by authorities to suppress or eliminate unlawful activities or behaviors. This can include increased police presence, legal actions, or other measures designed to discourage or prevent unacceptable conduct. Crackdowns are typically characterized by their intensity and often have significant media coverage.
Synonyms
control, enforcement, restrain, suppress.
Examples of usage
- The police launched a crackdown on drug trafficking in the neighborhood.
- The government's crackdown on corruption has led to several arrests.
- In response to rising crime rates, there was a citywide crackdown on loitering.
Translations
Translations of the word "crackdown" in other languages:
🇵🇹 operação
🇮🇳 कड़ी कार्रवाई
🇩🇪 Durchgreifen
🇮🇩 penindakan
🇺🇦 репресії
🇵🇱 represje
🇯🇵 取り締まり
🇫🇷 répression
🇪🇸 represión
🇹🇷 baskı
🇰🇷 단속
🇸🇦 حملة
🇨🇿 represivní opatření
🇸🇰 represie
🇨🇳 镇压
🇸🇮 ukrepanje
🇮🇸 harðnandi aðgerðir
🇰🇿 қатаң шаралар
🇬🇪 კრძალვა
🇦🇿 sıxma
🇲🇽 represión
Etymology
The word 'crackdown' originated in the early 20th century, combining 'crack' (to break or interrupt) and 'down' (indicating a downward direction or a lowering). The term evolved to signify a forceful or severe action against a particular issue or behavior. Initially used in law enforcement contexts, it has since broadened to encompass a variety of situations where strict measures are applied to enforce rules or maintain order. The term gained prominence during social movements and governmental actions that aimed to curb dissent or illegal activities, often characterized by a noticeable shift towards authoritarian measures. Over time, 'crackdown' has been extensively used in political discourse to describe actions taken by governments or organizations to limit opposition or regulate behavior.