What context can I use each word in?
Learn when and how to use these words with these examples!
crackdown
Example
The government launched a crackdown on illegal immigration. [crackdown: noun]
Example
The police cracked down on the drug dealers in the neighborhood. [cracked down: past tense verb]
repression
Example
The regime's repression of political dissidents was widely condemned by human rights groups. [repression: noun]
Example
The protesters were met with violent repression by the police. [repression: noun]
Good things to know
Which word is more common?
Crackdown is more commonly used in everyday language than repression, which is often used in academic or political contexts.
What’s the difference in the tone of formality between crackdown and repression?
Both crackdown and repression are associated with formal or serious contexts, but repression is generally considered more formal and academic than crackdown.
