strangle

1 of 2

verb

stran·​gle ˈstraŋ-gəl 

strangled; strangling ˈstraŋ-g(ə-)liŋ 

transitive verb

1

a

: to choke to death by compressing the throat with something (such as a hand or rope) : throttle

b

: to obstruct seriously or fatally the normal breathing of

c

: stifle

2

: to suppress or hinder the rise, expression, or growth of

repression strangles free speech

intransitive verb

1

: to become strangled

2

: to die from or as if from interference with breathing

strangler

ˈstraŋ-g(ə-)lər 

noun

strangler

2 of 2

noun

stran·​gler ˈstraŋglə(r) 

-aiŋ-

plural -s

1

: one that strangles

2

British : choke sense 2a

Synonyms of strangle

Verb

• choke
• stifle
• suffocate
• smother
• drown

Examples of strangle in a Sentence

Verb

The weeds are strangling the plant.

The company is trying to strangle the smaller competition.

Recent Examples on the Web

Verb

The erosion of ocean governance could pave the way for China to blockade Taiwan, Russia to strangle Norway’s Svalbard archipelago, or the United States to seize maritime control around Greenland. — Michael Albertus, Foreign Affairs, 30 Sep. 2026

The shipping strikes aimed to strangle Crimea into an energy and supply crisis. — Brady Knox, The Washington Examiner, 26 Sep. 2026

In the first assault, Escudero locked a 16-year-old coworker in his car, then strangled, struck and raped her, according to the release. — Harllie Stevenson, Idaho Statesman, 25 Sep. 2026

While he was gone, she is accused of taking her three children — Cora, five, Dawson, three, and eight-month-old Callan — down to the basement in their family home and using exercise bands to strangle them. — Ct Jones, Rolling Stone, 21 Sep. 2026

Word History

Etymology

Verb

Middle English, from Anglo-French estrangler, from Latin strangulare, from Greek strangalan, from strangalē halter — more at strain

First Known Use

Verb

14th century, in the meaning defined at transitive sense 1a

Rhymes for strangle

• angle
• bangle
• dangle
• jangle
• mangle
• tangle
• wrangle
• disentangle
• entangle
• quadrangle
• triangle
• untangle

Kids Definition

strangle

verb

stran·​gle ˈstraŋ-gəl 

strangled; strangling -g(ə-)liŋ 

1

: to choke to death by squeezing the throat

2

: to cause (someone or something) to choke or suffocate

3

: to suppress or hinder the rise, growth, or expression of

these rules are strangling my creativity

4

: to become strangled

5

: to die by or as if by interference with breathing

strangler

-g(ə-)lər 

noun

Medical Definition

strangle

verb

stran·​gle ˈstraŋ-gəl 

strangled; strangling -g(ə-)liŋ 

transitive verb

1

: to choke to death by compressing the throat with something (as a hand or rope)

2

: to obstruct seriously or fatally the normal breathing of

the bone wedged in his throat and strangled him

intransitive verb

1

: to become strangled : undergo a severe interference with breathing

2

: to die from interference with breathing