strangle

verb

stran·​gle ˈstraŋ-gəl 

strangled; strangling ˈstraŋ-g(ə-)liŋ 

transitive verb

1

a

: to choke to death by compressing the throat with something (such as a hand or rope) : throttle

b

: to obstruct seriously or fatally the normal breathing of

c

: stifle

2

: to suppress or hinder the rise, expression, or growth of

repression strangles free speech

intransitive verb

1

: to become strangled

2

: to die from or as if from interference with breathing

strangler

ˈstraŋ-g(ə-)lər 

noun

Synonyms

• choke
• smother
• stifle
• suffocate

Examples of strangle in a Sentence

The weeds are strangling the plant.

The company is trying to strangle the smaller competition.

Recent Examples on the Web

Accused of stabbing, strangling, setting afire and drowning a woman who more than a decade ago spurned his declarations of love, Holton’s first trial in 2015 ended short of a verdict after jurors learned he was wanted by police for a separate crime. —Charles Rabin, Miami Herald, 1 Apr. 2024

Following his Idaho conviction, Creech was found guilty in the June 1974 strangling death of V. Grant Robinson, 50, in Sacramento, California, and August 1974 shooting death of William J. Dean, 22, in Portland, Oregon. —Kevin Fixler, Idaho Statesman, 26 Mar. 2024

The separate 2020 national-security law imposed on the city by Beijing eviscerated dissent in Hong Kong and strangled its civil society — and pro-democracy movement. —The Editors, National Review, 21 Mar. 2024

Prosecutors say Martin and Anderson fraudulently obtained two life insurance policies in Odom's name the year before Martin strangled Odom in her bedroom in April 2018. —CBS News, 6 Mar. 2024

The mother of a 4-year-old girl who was beaten and strangled to death has been sentenced to life in prison. —Brenton Blanchet, Peoplemag, 24 Feb. 2024

Robinson was charged in 2021 in the death of Nahla Miller, who was beaten and strangled. —Sarah Dewberry, CNN, 23 Feb. 2024

Kenyans were shocked when 31 women were killed in January after they were beaten, strangled or beheaded, activists and police said. —Abdi Latif Dahir, New York Times, 19 Feb. 2024

Prosecutors say Sills strangled his wife during an argument and subsequently scrambled to stage her death as an accidental fall down the stairs. —Caroline Petrow-Cohen, Los Angeles Times, 18 Mar. 2024

Word History

Etymology

Middle English, from Anglo-French estrangler, from Latin strangulare, from Greek strangalan, from strangalē halter — more at strain

First Known Use

14th century, in the meaning defined at transitive sense 1a

Kids Definition

strangle

verb

stran·​gle ˈstraŋ-gəl 

strangled; strangling -g(ə-)liŋ 

1

: to choke to death by squeezing the throat

2

: to cause (someone or something) to choke or suffocate

3

: to suppress or hinder the rise, growth, or expression of

these rules are strangling my creativity

4

: to become strangled

5

: to die by or as if by interference with breathing

strangler

-g(ə-)lər 

noun

Medical Definition

strangle

verb

stran·​gle ˈstraŋ-gəl 

strangled; strangling -g(ə-)liŋ 

transitive verb

1

: to choke to death by compressing the throat with something (as a hand or rope)

2

: to obstruct seriously or fatally the normal breathing of

the bone wedged in his throat and strangled him

intransitive verb

1

: to become strangled : undergo a severe interference with breathing

2

: to die from interference with breathing