as in siege
the cutting off of an area by military means to stop the flow of people or supplies
it was the blockade of all the enemy's major ports that finally won the war
Synonyms & Similar Words
Relevance
1
as in to guard
to disallow entry into (a place) by means of a physical barrier at the entry point
the militant protestors blockaded the whole area around city hall
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
2
as in to besiege
to surround (as a fortified place) with armed forces for the purpose of capturing or preventing commerce and communication
blockaded the city until it surrendered
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
Example Sentences
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.
Recent Examples of blockade
Amira El-Fekki, MSNBC Newsweek, 29 July 2025
Chinese and American trade negotiators concluded their two-day meeting in Stockholm without a resolution to avert tariffs from skyrocketing back to ultra-high levels that formed an effective blockade on trade between the world’s two largest economies.
—Elisabeth Buchwald, CNN Money, 29 July 2025
Gaurav Sharma, Forbes.com, 23 June 2025
Looks like the oil industry is expecting the Strait to be blockaded in the coming days.
—Adeola Adeosun, MSNBC Newsweek, 23 June 2025
See All Example Sentences for blockade
Noun
However, he may be compelled to intervene once more in the Middle East if U.S. shipping costs rise as a result of another blockade.
—Amira El-Fekki, MSNBC Newsweek, 29 July 2025
Chinese and American trade negotiators concluded their two-day meeting in Stockholm without a resolution to avert tariffs from skyrocketing back to ultra-high levels that formed an effective blockade on trade between the world’s two largest economies.
—Elisabeth Buchwald, CNN Money, 29 July 2025
Verb
More so, after Tehran’s seemingly unlikely threats to blockade the Strait of Hormuz have not been followed through even partially.
—Gaurav Sharma, Forbes.com, 23 June 2025
Looks like the oil industry is expecting the Strait to be blockaded in the coming days.
—Adeola Adeosun, MSNBC Newsweek, 23 June 2025
See All Example Sentences for blockade
Recent Examples of Synonyms for blockade
Noun
-
Zamir’s warning once again put the new military chief at odds with the far-right parties in Israel’s government, who have repeatedly called for broadening Israel’s bombardment and siege of Gaza to destroy Hamas, something Israel has been unable to do despite nearly two years of fighting.—
Tal Shalev,
CNN Money,
6 Aug. 2025
-
So in the worst sieges in Syria, people could smuggle themselves in and out.—
Isaac Chotiner,
New Yorker,
5 Aug. 2025
Verb
-
The top priority–trumping everything else, including profits–is that all of us continue to zealously guard Berkshire’s reputation.—
Jane Swift,
Fortune,
6 Aug. 2025
-
Agency employees are greeting the news, unveiled at an all hands meeting on Monday, with guarded optimism and relief.—
Andrew Freedman,
CNN Money,
5 Aug. 2025
Verb
-
At lunch with Paul Giamatti on Monday, Colbert was besieged by supporters.—
Joe Reid,
Vulture,
25 July 2025
-
During the war, Gaza’s hospitals have eked back services, only to be repeatedly struck or besieged again.—
Tavleen Tarrant,
NBC news,
14 June 2025
Verb
-
The green and whites play excellent attacking soccer and with Isco pulling the strings there is always a chance Betis could upset a big club.—
Vitas Carosella,
Forbes.com,
15 Aug. 2025
-
Cardi also dropped a trailer for the album, showing her inside a house as crows swarm and attack her mansion.—
Tomás Mier,
Rolling Stone,
15 Aug. 2025
Verb
-
The reigning 100-meter world champion sprinter also issued an apology to her boyfriend after allegedly assaulting him in a Seattle airport.—
Jade Walker,
CNN Money,
14 Aug. 2025
-
The passenger did not physically assault anyone on the aircraft, and no injuries were reported, according to police.—
Michelle Del Rey,
USA Today,
14 Aug. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Blockade.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/blockade. Accessed 19 Aug. 2025.
Copy CitationLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
Share