strangle

verb

stran·​gle ˈstraŋ-gəl How to pronounce strangle (audio)
strangled; strangling ˈstraŋ-g(ə-)liŋ How to pronounce strangle (audio)

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 noun

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
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.
An autopsy revealed injuries that suggested that he was strangled. Philippe Cordier, CNN Money, 25 Aug. 2025 This interest burden is strangling flexibility. Jim Osman, Forbes.com, 24 Aug. 2025 The mother of two had been stabbed multiple times and was strangled with an electrical cord. Emily Blackwood, People.com, 23 Aug. 2025 Nikolai Glushkov, an exiled Russian businessman and Putin critic who was found strangled in his London home in 2018. Andy Shaw, Chicago Tribune, 22 Aug. 2025 See All Example Sentences for strangle

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

Time Traveler
The first known use of strangle was in the 14th century

Browse Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Strangle.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/strangle. Accessed 4 Sep. 2025.

Kids Definition

strangle

verb
stran·​gle ˈstraŋ-gəl How to pronounce strangle (audio)
strangled; strangling -g(ə-)liŋ How to pronounce strangle (audio)
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 noun

Medical Definition

strangle

verb
stran·​gle ˈstraŋ-gəl How to pronounce strangle (audio)
strangled; strangling -g(ə-)liŋ How to pronounce strangle (audio)

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

More from Merriam-Webster on strangle

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