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
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.
Los Angeles will look for a stranglehold in the NLCS in Game 2 on Tuesday night. Kendall Capps, MSNBC Newsweek, 14 Oct. 2025 Fort Worth Arlington Heights came to Rough Rider Stadium on Thursday night, trying to keep its stranglehold on the top of the District 4-5A Division I football standings. Updated October 10, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 10 Oct. 2025 Volpe has done nothing to warrant a stranglehold on the position. Chris Kirschner, New York Times, 9 Oct. 2025 This continuous conversation, heightened by agile promo tactics and surprise announcements, is central to Swift’s stranglehold on cultural capital. Nick Lichtenberg, Fortune, 3 Oct. 2025 See All Example Sentences for stranglehold

Word History

First Known Use

1893, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Time Traveler
The first known use of stranglehold was in 1893

Browse Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Stranglehold.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/stranglehold. Accessed 16 Oct. 2025.

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
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