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
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
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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
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.
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Kids 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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