stranglehold
noun
stran·gle·hold
ˈstraŋ-gəl-ˌhōld 
1
: an illegal wrestling hold by which one's opponent is choked
2
: a force or influence that stops something from growing or developing
… opened three stores within a year and got a stranglehold on market share.—
Inc.
Inc.Examples of stranglehold in a Sentence
Recent Examples on the Web
Its stranglehold over the country became evident last year when the group declared a fuel blockade of Mali’s capital, Bamako.
—Brady Knox, The Washington Examiner, 10 May 2026
While this Colorado Avalanche team in the Twin Cities with the intention of putting a stranglehold on this second-round playoff series, the financial parameters for the next edition of the Avs were firmed up earlier this week.
—Corey Masisak, Denver Post, 9 May 2026
The Voting Rights Act and its legislative updates broke the stranglehold of conservative southern Democrats, who were wiped out fully during Barack Obama’s presidency.
—David Weigel, semafor.com, 6 May 2026
Iran signaled an aggressive response to this latest bid to break its stranglehold over the strait, which has left global shipping at an effective standstill and sent energy prices spiraling.
—Yuliya Talmazan, NBC news, 4 May 2026
See All Example Sentences for stranglehold
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Brady Knox, The Washington Examiner, 10 May 2026
While this Colorado Avalanche team in the Twin Cities with the intention of putting a stranglehold on this second-round playoff series, the financial parameters for the next edition of the Avs were firmed up earlier this week.
—Corey Masisak, Denver Post, 9 May 2026
The Voting Rights Act and its legislative updates broke the stranglehold of conservative southern Democrats, who were wiped out fully during Barack Obama’s presidency.
—David Weigel, semafor.com, 6 May 2026
Iran signaled an aggressive response to this latest bid to break its stranglehold over the strait, which has left global shipping at an effective standstill and sent energy prices spiraling.
—Yuliya Talmazan, NBC news, 4 May 2026
See All Example Sentences for stranglehold
Cite this Entry
“Stranglehold.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/stranglehold. Accessed 16 May. 2026.
Copy CitationKids Definition
stranglehold
noun
stran·gle·hold
ˈstraŋ-gəl-ˌhōld
1
: an illegal wrestling hold by which one's opponent is choked
2
: a force or influence that chokes or blocks freedom of development or expression
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