as in blocked
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1
as in guarded
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 besieged
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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Recent Examples of blockaded
J.d. Capelouto, semafor.com, 8 Mar. 2026
The administration has threatened to tariff Cuba’s trade partners and has blockaded the island from receiving oil imports, which has sparked a deepening energy crisis in the country.
—Molly Parks, The Washington Examiner, 7 Mar. 2026
At his orders, cartel henchmen began setting fire to vehicles, gas stations and government buildings and blockaded major highways.
—Kathryn Palmer, USA Today, 24 Feb. 2026
Flights into some Jalisco airports were grounded and cartel gunmen blockaded highways by setting fire to vehicles in 20 states, according to Mexican authorities.
—Senior Editor, Los Angeles Times, 23 Feb. 2026
As roads were blockaded with burning vehicles, airlines canceled flights and cruise lines rerouted ships to avoid ports with potential problems.
—Contessa Brewer, CNBC, 23 Feb. 2026
Saudi Arabia, under his de-facto leadership, embarked on a military campaign against the Houthis in Yemen, temporarily kidnapped the Prime Minister of Lebanon, and blockaded Qatar.
—Isaac Chotiner, New Yorker, 17 Feb. 2026
At first, Israel blockaded Gaza entirely, against the United States’ wishes.
—Andrew P. Miller, Foreign Affairs, 5 Dec. 2025
In recent weeks, JNIM has effectively blockaded Bamako, targeting critical fuel convoys and supply lines.
—Tom O'Connor, MSNBC Newsweek, 14 Nov. 2025
Verb
The Caribbean nation has experienced severe fuel shortages, upending daily life on the island, after the US blockaded Venezuelan oil shipments.
—J.d. Capelouto, semafor.com, 8 Mar. 2026
The administration has threatened to tariff Cuba’s trade partners and has blockaded the island from receiving oil imports, which has sparked a deepening energy crisis in the country.
—Molly Parks, The Washington Examiner, 7 Mar. 2026
At his orders, cartel henchmen began setting fire to vehicles, gas stations and government buildings and blockaded major highways.
—Kathryn Palmer, USA Today, 24 Feb. 2026
Flights into some Jalisco airports were grounded and cartel gunmen blockaded highways by setting fire to vehicles in 20 states, according to Mexican authorities.
—Senior Editor, Los Angeles Times, 23 Feb. 2026
As roads were blockaded with burning vehicles, airlines canceled flights and cruise lines rerouted ships to avoid ports with potential problems.
—Contessa Brewer, CNBC, 23 Feb. 2026
Saudi Arabia, under his de-facto leadership, embarked on a military campaign against the Houthis in Yemen, temporarily kidnapped the Prime Minister of Lebanon, and blockaded Qatar.
—Isaac Chotiner, New Yorker, 17 Feb. 2026
At first, Israel blockaded Gaza entirely, against the United States’ wishes.
—Andrew P. Miller, Foreign Affairs, 5 Dec. 2025
In recent weeks, JNIM has effectively blockaded Bamako, targeting critical fuel convoys and supply lines.
—Tom O'Connor, MSNBC Newsweek, 14 Nov. 2025
Recent Examples of Synonyms for blockaded
Verb
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To these critics, the pitfalls of feminist politics—that jealously guarded privileges of race and class keep women from uniting in the interests of their gender—are neatly symbolized in Stanton’s story.—
Moira Donegan,
New Yorker,
13 Mar. 2026
-
Police heavily guarded the center in the hours after the attack.—
Liam Rappleye,
Freep.com,
13 Mar. 2026
Verb
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But the regime, besieged by insurrections across the country, abandoned Manbij.—
Anand Gopal,
New Yorker,
28 Feb. 2026
-
The Kings, who snapped a franchise-record 16-game losing streak with Monday’s win over the Memphis Grizzlies, have been besieged by injuries this season.—
Jason Anderson,
Sacbee.com,
25 Feb. 2026
Adjective
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Multiple police units, including SWAT, responded to reports of a barricaded person Thursday morning in west Fort Worth.—
Harriet Ramos,
Fort Worth Star-Telegram,
12 Mar. 2026
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Officials said crews responded to reports of an armed, barricaded man inside a home.—
Austin Turner,
CBS News,
4 Mar. 2026
Verb
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Iran, Israel and the United States also have attacked oil and gas facilities since the war started, worsening supply concerns.—
Alex Veiga,
Los Angeles Times,
9 Mar. 2026
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Its national oil company declared force majeure after the country’s sole oil refinery was attacked.—
Elaine Kurtenbach,
Fortune,
9 Mar. 2026
Adjective
-
The future of transportation in congested cities like Atlanta may soon be taking flight.—
Christopher Harris,
CBS News,
12 Mar. 2026
-
Jamming and spoofing also slowed marine traffic moving through the Strait of Hormuz, a congested shipping lane that handles roughly 20% of the world’s oil and gas exports and where precise navigation is essential, Windward’s data showed.—
Katie Hunt,
CNN Money,
6 Mar. 2026
Adjective
-
StubHub should have disclosed the obstructed view upfront.—
Christopher Elliott,
Mercury News,
6 Feb. 2026
-
Depending on your vantage point, the band was often semi-obstructed or blocked from view.—
Andy Greene,
Rolling Stone,
6 Nov. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Blockaded.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/blockaded. Accessed 14 Mar. 2026.
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