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
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Recent Examples of blockade
Joseph Krauss, Chicago Tribune, 20 May 2025
Foreign Secretary David Lammy announced the decision during a speech in the House of Commons, urging Netanyahu to end the blockade and military offensive.
—Callum Sutherland, Time, 20 May 2025
Kevin Holden Platt, Forbes.com, 16 Apr. 2025
For most of history, imposing serious economic pressure required the deployment of military forces: ships blockading ports, armies laying siege to cities.
—Edward Fishman, The Atlantic, 24 Feb. 2025
See All Example Sentences for blockade
Noun
Netanyahu said this week’s easing of the blockade is aimed at bridging the gap before the rollout of a new system for distributing aid that Israel says is aimed at keeping it out of Hamas’ hands.
—Joseph Krauss, Chicago Tribune, 20 May 2025
Foreign Secretary David Lammy announced the decision during a speech in the House of Commons, urging Netanyahu to end the blockade and military offensive.
—Callum Sutherland, Time, 20 May 2025
Verb
The airlift saved Ukraine’s leaders from being blockaded inside a new Russian Iron Curtain, but infuriated the Kremlin.
—Kevin Holden Platt, Forbes.com, 16 Apr. 2025
For most of history, imposing serious economic pressure required the deployment of military forces: ships blockading ports, armies laying siege to cities.
—Edward Fishman, The Atlantic, 24 Feb. 2025
See All Example Sentences for blockade
Recent Examples of Synonyms for blockade
Noun
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With the help of officers from the New York Police Department, Columbia laid a brutal siege on its own student body: more than seven hundred arrested, more than one hundred injured.—
Doreen St. Félix,
New Yorker,
17 May 2025
-
In 1866, a white mob laid siege to those attempting to amend the state’s constitution to enfranchise Black voters, in what became known as the Mechanics Institute Massacre.—
Chelsea Stieber,
The Conversation,
14 May 2025
Verb
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There are various factors at play, most prominently guarding a horse’s health from a tight turnaround in favor of other high-money stakes.—
Sam Cohn,
Baltimore Sun,
17 May 2025
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The Wings, featuring nine new players after posting a 9-31 record in 2024, stayed even with the Lynx for much of the first half but fell behind during the third quarter, in which Collier and Courtney Williams combined for 33 points — their two-player actions proving impossible for Dallas to guard.—
Sabreena Merchant,
New York Times,
17 May 2025
Verb
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The construction is about halfway complete, according to the former president's foundation, but it has been besieged by significant delays and has gone well over budget.—
Phillip M. Bailey,
USA Today,
7 May 2025
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Ellie’s gets bitten After fleeing the TV station and killing two Wolves in a remixed turn of events, Ellie and Dina find themselves in a subway tunnel besieged by both WLF and infected.—
Christopher Cruz,
Rolling Stone,
5 May 2025
Verb
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According to authorities, Ward told them the fight and stabbing were self-defense, claiming the mother attacked and punched her several times in the face.—
Devoun Cetoute,
Miami Herald,
23 May 2025
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There are several leaf spotting diseases that can attack hydrangeas.—
Janet B. Carson,
Arkansas Online,
23 May 2025
Verb
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Super Bowl winner Ray Rice and Kansas City Chiefs running back Kareem Hunt both assaulted women in the past, as well.—
Armon Sadler,
VIBE.com,
21 May 2025
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Mace cites allegations that McIver assaulted federal law enforcement officers and unlawfully interfered with operations at a federal immigration detention facility in Newark.—
Dan Gooding
Gabe Whisnant,
MSNBC Newsweek,
21 May 2025
Cite this Entry
“Blockade.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/blockade. Accessed 27 May. 2025.
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