blockade 1 of 2

Definition of blockadenext
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

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blockade

2 of 2

verb

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

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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

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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
Noun
How the restoration of navigation is synchronized with Tehran’s demand for an immediate end to the blockade of Iranian ports by the US Navy will also be crucial. Tim Lister, CNN Money, 30 May 2026 The war and subsequent closure of the strait, a key trade route through which some 20% of the world’s oil passed before the blockade, have sent energy prices soaring over the last three months. Freddie Clayton, NBC news, 30 May 2026
Verb
The socialist coalition has blockaded key roads in and around La Paz, refusing even to let emergency vehicles pass. Brady Knox, The Washington Examiner, 20 May 2026 Iran still has a chokehold on the Strait of Hormuz, a vital waterway where a fifth of the world’s oil passed through before the war, and America is blockading Iranian ports. Sheikh Saaliq, Chicago Tribune, 16 May 2026 See All Example Sentences for blockade
Recent Examples of Synonyms for blockade
Noun
  • Higher education is under siege, with many students and parents balking at high costs.
    John B. King, Washington Post, 3 June 2026
  • Supplying the army from the sea In 1775, American ground forces managed to lay siege to the British army in Boston, but Washington needed provisions and military stores to sustain pressure on this key commercial hub.
    Christopher Magra, The Conversation, 2 June 2026
Verb
  • Robinson might not draw the primary defensive assignment guarding Spurs star big man Victor Wembanyama, a job that could fall to the Knicks' fleet of wings, but Robinson's offensive rebounding will be critical in not allowing second-chance opportunities.
    Andrew Greif, NBC news, 4 June 2026
  • Earlier in the game, Knicks guard Jalen Brunson limped to the locker room after Spurs forward Harrison Barnes was pushed into his right knee.
    Chantz Martin, FOXNews.com, 4 June 2026
Verb
  • Tony season in New York is a veritable marathon for theater-folk, who are besieged by invites to countless classy events in succession.
    Jason P. Frank, Vulture, 7 June 2026
  • Some time later, however, King Ben-hadad of Aram mustered his entire army and besieged Samaria.
    Helaine Williams, Arkansas Online, 6 June 2026
Verb
  • Rather than attacking all rapidly growing cells, as chemotherapy does, the drug targets a key cancer-driving pathway known as KRAS, which is involved in more than 90% of pancreatic tumors.
    Luzdelia Caballero, CBS News, 5 June 2026
  • Akindahunsi is accused of attacking several women the night of May 28.
    Summer Lin, Los Angeles Times, 4 June 2026
Verb
  • Anyone who assaults law enforcement will be prosecuted to the fullest extent of the law.
    Christina Fan, CBS News, 7 June 2026
  • Okay, but 172 people did plead guilty to assaulting police officers.
    NBC news, NBC news, 7 June 2026

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Cite this Entry

“Blockade.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/blockade. Accessed 9 Jun. 2026.

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