Synonyms of blockade

blockade 1 of 2

noun

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

• siege
• investment
• beleaguerment
• leaguer
• encirclement
• isolation
• containment
• segregation
• quarantine
• insulation
• counterblockade
• sequestration
• seclusion
• confinement
• internment
• encompassment
• incarceration

blockade

2 of 2

verb

blä-ˈkād 

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

• guard
• barricade
• close (off)
• block (off)
• bar
• gate
• wall (off)
• fence
• curtain (off)
• lock
• screen (off)
• obstruct
• dike
• hedge
• bolt

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

• open
• reopen
• unblock
• unbar
• unbolt

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

• besiege
• attack
• assault
• encircle
• barricade
• dam
• lay siege to
• block
• cut off
• leaguer
• beleaguer
• invest
• isolate
• quarantine
• beset
• confine
• assail
• insulate

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

• release
• rescue
• free
• liberate
• emancipate

Example Sentences

Recent Examples of blockade

Noun

The $31 billion spending program Taipei unveiled is one of a number of efforts to respond, such as expanding live-fire exercises to include the use of first-person view drones and simulating a maritime blockade. — Prashant Rao, semafor.com, 21 Aug. 2026

On Wednesday, the militant group claimed to have targeted eight Saudi oil tankers since late July – when the blockade was declared – including three in the Gulf of Aden and the Arabian Sea, the Houthi-run Saba news agency said. — Billy Stockwell, CNN Money, 20 Aug. 2026

Verb

In July, Houthi forces began blockading the Bab-el-Mandeb Strait, the corridor linking the Red Sea to the Gulf of Aden, in response to renewed Saudi strikes on Yemen. — Frank Ahrens, Forbes.com, 31 July 2026

In December 2022, Baku began ramping up the pressure again, blockading Stepanakert by cutting off its sole road to Armenia, and cutting its gas pipelines and electricity cables. — Literary Hub, 30 July 2026