STRANGLE Synonyms: 50 Similar and Opposite Words

strangle

verb

ˈstraŋ-gəl

Definition of strangle

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

Synonyms & Similar Words

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Antonyms & Near Antonyms

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

Synonyms & Similar Words

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

as in to stifle

to refrain from openly showing or uttering strangled a gasp of surprise upon hearing the news

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Antonyms & Near Antonyms

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 The Tarrant County medical examiner determined that Bruneau had been strangled during the midmorning. — Sarah Rumpf-Whitten, FOXNews.com, 17 July 2026 In the autopsy, the medical examiner determined that Bruneau was strangled sometime during the midmorning. — Amy McDaniel, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 16 July 2026 Ortiz allegedly grabbed the woman’s face and neck, threw her to the ground and strangled her, restricting her breathing for about a minute, the prosecutor said in court. — Sally Krutzig, Idaho Statesman, 15 July 2026 An autopsy later confirmed that Blodgett had been bound and strangled, per the Milwaukee Journal Sentinel. — Christopher Rudolph, PEOPLE, 14 July 2026 See All Example Sentences for strangle

Recent Examples of Synonyms for strangle

Verb

There are dozens more fires burning across the state, choking the air in Oregon and sending smoke across the country.

— ABC News, ABC News, 24 July 2026
As if all this isn’t enough to choke your brain, here is where the numbers get truly impressive.

— Phil Plait, Scientific American, 24 July 2026

Definition of choke

Verb

Clubs who have stifled investment into their women’s team regularly cite a challenge of sustainability or loss of revenue for doing so, most recently Southampton.

— Megan Feringa, New York Times, 24 July 2026
Two soldiers who initially seemed kind took her into the jungle, held her at gunpoint and raped her while holding her mouth shut to stifle her screams.

— ABC News, ABC News, 23 July 2026

Definition of stifle

Verb

New York has had excellent stretches, such as the team’s undefeated Commissioner’s Cup run, when their offense moves from side to side, their shotmaking reaches elite levels and their length is suffocating on defense.

— Sabreena Merchant, New York Times, 21 July 2026
Each incident was met with a familiar, suffocating silence — minimized, forgiven and swept away.

— Jeremy Kohler, ProPublica, 20 July 2026

Definition of suffocate

Verb

Jokes about Modi were rare during earlier protests, when his government was criticized for suppressing dissent.

— ABC News, ABC News, 25 July 2026
The idea is to enable riders to accelerate earlier and utilize more of the motorcycle’s capabilities when traction gets erratic rather than just suppressing wheelspin.

— New Atlas, New Atlas, 25 July 2026

Definition of suppress

Verb

Rodri, Spain’s captain and the anchor of the team’s smothering defense during its unbeaten World Cup run, won the Golden Ball award as the outstanding player of the tournament.

— Los Angeles Times, Los Angeles Times, 20 July 2026
Exemplary off-ball discipline and application go a long way to explaining the pattern of this game, but the extent to which Argentina were smothered in their seventh World Cup final was a huge surprise.

— Thom Harris, New York Times, 20 July 2026

Definition of smother

Verb

If there is swelling spreading well beyond the bite, a rash breaking out elsewhere on your body, or any trouble breathing or swallowing, treat that as an emergency and get medical help right away.

— Maggie O'Neill, Verywell Health, 29 July 2026
And that’s probably too much for most individuals, and the political system, to swallow.

— Howard Gleckman, Forbes.com, 27 July 2026

Definition of swallow

Browse Nearby Words

strangers

strangle

strangled

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“Strangle.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/strangle. Accessed 31 Jul. 2026.

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Synonyms of strangle

verb

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