as in sieges
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 guards
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 besieges
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 blockades
Kevin Liptak, CNN Money, 28 May 2026
Although security forces have used tear gas to disperse demonstrators and arrested over 120 people, Paz has so far resisted calls to deploy greater force to break the blockades.
—ABC News, 27 May 2026
The deal is expected to open the Strait of Hormuz, lifting the blockades imposed by both Iran and the United States.
—Arash Azizi, The Atlantic, 27 May 2026
The flotilla, involving nearly 500 activists from 45 countries, revives questions over enforcing blockades in international waters amid Gaza’s deepening humanitarian crisis and a fragile, frequently violated ceasefire.
—Suzan Fraser, Los Angeles Times, 18 May 2026
As energy prices bleed into every sector, the shift toward renewables is maturing into hard-nosed geopolitical hedging—a permanent insurance policy against a world where fossil fuel prices are controlled by missiles and blockades.
—Ken Silverstein, Forbes.com, 17 May 2026
Military significance Sea mines remain a potent option to employ a sea-denial strategy and naval blockades as witnessed in the recent Strait of Hormuz crisis.
—Prabhat Ranjan Mishra, Interesting Engineering, 14 May 2026
Several ships have been attacked in or near the key waterway as Iran and the United States push on with rival blockades.
—CBS News, 14 May 2026
The optical illusion reminded early settlers of the blockades of wooden stakes, or palisades, built around forts to ward off threats.
—Literary Hub, 13 May 2026
ABC News, 26 Apr. 2026
As the United States military blockades the Strait of Hormuz fuel prices rose above $100 dollars a barrel.
—Contessa Brewer,dawn Giel, CNBC, 23 Apr. 2026
His death sparked civil unrest in Puerto Vallarta and more than a dozen Mexican states, including Quintana Roo, with cars set on fire and blockades obstructing highways.
—Kathleen Wong, USA Today, 25 Feb. 2026
Road blockades, traffic slowdowns and other protests were widespread – from the southern port city of Marseille to Lille and Caen in the north, and from Nantes and Rennes in the west to Grenoble and Lyon in the southeast.
—Greg Norman, FOXNews.com, 10 Sep. 2025
Noun
Even public messaging about the contents of the proposal, known as the memorandum of understanding (MOU), is underpinned by contradictions — with Washington pushing back against Tehran’s statements that the draft stipulates US forces’ withdrawal and an end to blockades on Iranian ports.
—Kevin Liptak, CNN Money, 28 May 2026
Although security forces have used tear gas to disperse demonstrators and arrested over 120 people, Paz has so far resisted calls to deploy greater force to break the blockades.
—ABC News, 27 May 2026
The deal is expected to open the Strait of Hormuz, lifting the blockades imposed by both Iran and the United States.
—Arash Azizi, The Atlantic, 27 May 2026
The flotilla, involving nearly 500 activists from 45 countries, revives questions over enforcing blockades in international waters amid Gaza’s deepening humanitarian crisis and a fragile, frequently violated ceasefire.
—Suzan Fraser, Los Angeles Times, 18 May 2026
As energy prices bleed into every sector, the shift toward renewables is maturing into hard-nosed geopolitical hedging—a permanent insurance policy against a world where fossil fuel prices are controlled by missiles and blockades.
—Ken Silverstein, Forbes.com, 17 May 2026
Military significance Sea mines remain a potent option to employ a sea-denial strategy and naval blockades as witnessed in the recent Strait of Hormuz crisis.
—Prabhat Ranjan Mishra, Interesting Engineering, 14 May 2026
Several ships have been attacked in or near the key waterway as Iran and the United States push on with rival blockades.
—CBS News, 14 May 2026
The optical illusion reminded early settlers of the blockades of wooden stakes, or palisades, built around forts to ward off threats.
—Literary Hub, 13 May 2026
Verb
There's no question that the United States has a credible threat of force, but the blockade really blockades ourselves as well as Iran.
—ABC News, 26 Apr. 2026
As the United States military blockades the Strait of Hormuz fuel prices rose above $100 dollars a barrel.
—Contessa Brewer,dawn Giel, CNBC, 23 Apr. 2026
His death sparked civil unrest in Puerto Vallarta and more than a dozen Mexican states, including Quintana Roo, with cars set on fire and blockades obstructing highways.
—Kathleen Wong, USA Today, 25 Feb. 2026
Road blockades, traffic slowdowns and other protests were widespread – from the southern port city of Marseille to Lille and Caen in the north, and from Nantes and Rennes in the west to Grenoble and Lyon in the southeast.
—Greg Norman, FOXNews.com, 10 Sep. 2025
Recent Examples of Synonyms for blockades
Noun
-
Which is why many Americans have begun to tire of the sieges in their communities.—
Charles Selle,
Chicago Tribune,
22 May 2026
-
As in traditional sieges, the focus is on the vulnerable flow of supplies rather than a defended position.—
Vikram Mittal,
Forbes.com,
14 May 2026
Verb
-
Of course, that assumes Wembanyama guards Towns.—
John Hollinger,
New York Times,
2 June 2026
-
Fellow Warriors guards De’Anthony Melton (player option) and Seth Curry could also be on the market, as their team faces an uncertain future of building around Seth’s brother.—
Bennett Durando,
Denver Post,
29 May 2026
Verb
-
Dennis waits until Mallory leaves to go on a bike ride, and then attacks her on the path.—
Erin Qualey,
Vulture,
29 May 2026
-
Nadal was diagnosed with Mueller-Weiss syndrome early in his career, a rare degenerative condition that attacks the navicular bone in the foot.—
Ava Wallace,
New York Times,
29 May 2026
Cite this Entry
“Blockades.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/blockades. Accessed 5 Jun. 2026.
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