stranglehold
noun
stran·gle·hold
ˈstraŋ-gəl-ˌhōld 
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
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Can either team end the Kansas City Chiefs' stranglehold on the AFC?
—
Jim Reineking, USA Today, 29 Aug. 2025
The Tribune wrote about The Austin Voice in 1991 after the newspaper took on a notorious street gang that had a stranglehold on the community for years, according to Tribune archives.
—Tess Kenny, Chicago Tribune, 25 Aug. 2025
However, if Carr wants to have a stranglehold on the starting job, PicKell believes that Week 1 against the Miami Hurricanes will be the test, so the young quarterback faces pressure to perform coming out of the gate.
—MSNBC Newsweek, 20 Aug. 2025
Bertha’s old rival, Mrs. Astor (Donna Murphy), has finally been forced to loosen her stranglehold on the monied elite.
—Brent Lang, Variety, 11 Aug. 2025
See All Example Sentences for stranglehold
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Jim Reineking, USA Today, 29 Aug. 2025
The Tribune wrote about The Austin Voice in 1991 after the newspaper took on a notorious street gang that had a stranglehold on the community for years, according to Tribune archives.
—Tess Kenny, Chicago Tribune, 25 Aug. 2025
However, if Carr wants to have a stranglehold on the starting job, PicKell believes that Week 1 against the Miami Hurricanes will be the test, so the young quarterback faces pressure to perform coming out of the gate.
—MSNBC Newsweek, 20 Aug. 2025
Bertha’s old rival, Mrs. Astor (Donna Murphy), has finally been forced to loosen her stranglehold on the monied elite.
—Brent Lang, Variety, 11 Aug. 2025
See All Example Sentences for stranglehold
Cite this Entry
“Stranglehold.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/stranglehold. Accessed 8 Sep. 2025.
Copy CitationKids Definition
stranglehold
noun
stran·gle·hold
ˈstraŋ-gəl-ˌhōld
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
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