stranglehold

noun

stran·​gle·​hold ˈstraŋ-gəl-ˌhōld How to pronounce stranglehold (audio)
1
: an illegal wrestling hold by which one's opponent is choked
2
: a force or influence that chokes or suppresses freedom of movement or expression

Examples of stranglehold in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web The attacks on the Danube facilities are seen as an attempt by Russia to tighten its stranglehold on the Ukrainian economy. Constant Méheut, BostonGlobe.com, 10 Sep. 2023 Of course, given that Democrats, in the U.S. political system, will perpetually have a stranglehold on any path to power, socialists may never be able to shuck them either. Ross Barkan, The New Republic, 3 Aug. 2023 Brianna wants none of it, sensing how much the sisters like the animal and the threat that implies to her stranglehold on the presidency. Bill Goodykoontz, The Arizona Republic, 25 Aug. 2023 Amazon is already facing a potential lawsuit from the Federal Trade Commission, and now, a group of authors, booksellers, and an antitrust think tank is calling on the agency to investigate the e-commerce giant’s stranglehold on the bookselling market, as previously reported by The New York Times. Emma Roth, The Verge, 16 Aug. 2023 After Russia imposed a stranglehold on Ukraine’s southern ports early in the war, officials shifted some of their exports to ports on the river — a less-than-ideal alternative, as the shipments still must travel overland. David L. Stern, Washington Post, 16 Aug. 2023 Barcelona now has a stranglehold on Liga F, winning the last four titles, and its Champions League title this year was its second in three seasons. USA TODAY, 16 Aug. 2023 Stuck between Hanna-Barbera’s stranglehold on the character and his essential rebirth as part of a nascent DC Animated Universe, the Superman series produced by Ruby-Spears is frequently forgotten. Daniel Dockery, Vulture, 6 July 2023 Future dates include stops in Denver, Seattle and L.A. More can't-miss summer concerts: Madonna - The Celebration Tour marks four decades of the Material Girl’s stranglehold on pop music—and popular culture. People Staff, Peoplemag, 18 June 2023 See More

These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'stranglehold.' Any opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.

Word History

First Known Use

1893, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Time Traveler
The first known use of stranglehold was in 1893

Dictionary Entries Near stranglehold

Cite this Entry

“Stranglehold.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/stranglehold. Accessed 25 Sep. 2023.

Kids Definition

stranglehold

noun
stran·​gle·​hold ˈstraŋ-gəl-ˌhōld How to pronounce stranglehold (audio)
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

More from Merriam-Webster on stranglehold

Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
Love words? Need even more definitions?

Subscribe to America's largest dictionary and get thousands more definitions and advanced search—ad free!