1
as in to choke
to be or cause to be killed by lack of breathable air the gull got tangled in a piece of fishing line on the beach and was strangled

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2
as in to throttle
to keep (someone) from breathing by exerting pressure on the windpipe the boy complained that he was being strangled by his tie

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3

Example Sentences

Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
Recent Examples of strangle Scott was convicted of participating in the 1981 murder of Larry Miner, who was tied up, beaten, strangled and stabbed. Tony Saavedra, Oc Register, 30 Sep. 2025 In other parts of the world, political violence grips countries after every change in leadership, strangling their nation, and putting lives at risk every day. Joshua Rhett Miller, MSNBC Newsweek, 24 Sep. 2025 From the outset of its full-scale invasion, Russia sought to strangle Ukraine’s economy by cutting off its maritime access. Andriy Zagorodnyuk, Foreign Affairs, 23 Sep. 2025 That potential was strangled, Du Bois writes in this book, an essential look at governance and betrayal in America. Zephyr Teachout, The Atlantic, 22 Sep. 2025 See All Example Sentences for strangle
Recent Examples of Synonyms for strangle
Verb
  • The young girl allegedly told police she was beaten with belts, cords, and sticks, while she was also cut with scissors and choked with a belt, per ABC 13 citing the Sheriff's Office.
    Sean Neumann, PEOPLE, 8 Oct. 2025
  • Just remember that eating chia seeds dry can be a choking hazard and cause gastrointestinal discomfort.
    Maggie O'Neill, Verywell Health, 8 Oct. 2025
Verb
  • Many of the games in the series have been blowouts, and Boise State jumped to a 10-0 lead Saturday night while stifling New Mexico’s offense, which had one first down in the first quarter.
    Jim Keyser, Idaho Statesman, 12 Oct. 2025
  • Denver’s defense remained stifling even when it was put in unfavorable situations.
    The Athletic NFL Staff, New York Times, 12 Oct. 2025
Verb
  • Facing the Thunder’s suffocating defense at full strength should be among Flagg’s biggest challenges in his rookie season.
    Christian Clark, New York Times, 7 Oct. 2025
  • The real innovation being stifled today is the innovation that’ll never bloom, suffocated by vertical integration and acquisitions disguised as partnerships.
    Asad Ramzanali, Time, 6 Oct. 2025
Verb
  • Their discoveries have opened new paths for therapies that either suppress or activate immune responses, depending on the disease.
    Shane Croucher, MSNBC Newsweek, 10 Oct. 2025
  • Major evidence, including the alleged murder weapon, was suppressed as a result.
    Ryan Murphy, IndyStar, 9 Oct. 2025
Verb
  • This flowy, breathable midi dress is going to provide coverage when a cool breeze comes through, without leaving you feeling smothered on a warm October day.
    Melanie Fincher, Southern Living, 7 Oct. 2025
  • Instead, the Cowboys played Cover 2, and that look was smothered, so Love checked the ball down to running back Emanuel Wilson, who tried to make cornerback DaRon Bland miss with an inside move but was tackled for a loss of 1 with the clock running.
    Matt Schneidman, New York Times, 29 Sep. 2025
Verb
  • Live little fish on our tongues and swallowing them.
    Jon Blistein, Rolling Stone, 14 Oct. 2025
  • Especially with the roof closed, the seats swallow you up.
    Joe Kozlowski, MSNBC Newsweek, 14 Oct. 2025
Verb
  • As commissioner Cathy Engelbert took the microphone to congratulate the Las Vegas Aces and crown them the WNBA champions, fans in Phoenix drowned out her message with relentless booing.
    Shannon Ryan, New York Times, 11 Oct. 2025
  • His pre-teen son in tow, Luis joins up with a crusty group of dancers who are heading to a secret party in the heart of the desert, where the beats will be loud enough to drown out the sounds of the apocalyptic war that’s brewing around them.
    David Ehrlich, IndieWire, 10 Oct. 2025

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Cite this Entry

“Strangle.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/strangle. Accessed 16 Oct. 2025.

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