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.
Last week, the government called executives from several major AI companies, like OpenAI and Perplexity, in an attempt to argue that Google's stranglehold on search is preventing some of those companies from truly growing. Jaclyn Diaz, NPR, 29 Apr. 2025 Google's antitrust remedy trial started this week, and the Department of Justice has produced several witnesses to testify about how Google's stranglehold on search has slowed their innovation. ArsTechnica, 24 Apr. 2025 In tandem, releasing the stranglehold of the network effect gives users control of their data and the ability to easily move themselves and their networks between sites. Mark Weinstein, MSNBC Newsweek, 23 Apr. 2025 The good news on rare earth elements is that in the past five years, numerous companies have been laboring to break China’s stranglehold on these vital minerals. Jim Vinoski, Forbes.com, 23 Apr. 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

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Cite this Entry

“Stranglehold.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/stranglehold. Accessed 20 May. 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

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