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 stops something from growing or developing

… opened three stores within a year and got a stranglehold on market share.

—Inc.

Examples of stranglehold in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web

Bipartisan Consensus Data centers have emerged as a rare area of bipartisan consensus in Florida, where Republicans have a stranglehold on government and Democrats have struggled to shape major legislation. — Bloomberg, Mercury News, 15 July 2026

The left is backed by very powerful and radical voices that have a stranglehold on our government. — Raven Harrison, Sun Sentinel, 9 July 2026

The Albiceleste went in search of the equalizer and Messi’s movement ramped up, cinching in the stranglehold on Egypt’s upset bid. — Kyle Feldscher, CNN Money, 7 July 2026

Instead, Vladar exceeded everyone's expectations and took a stranglehold of the starting job. — Tom Dougherty, CBS News, 1 July 2026

Word History

First Known Use

1893, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Rhymes for stranglehold

• copyhold
• decontrolled
• hundredfold
• manifold
• marigold
• oversold
• petioled
• sevenfold
• subthreshold
• thousandfold
• uncontrolled
• ahold

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