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
Micah McCartney, MSNBC Newsweek, 4 Sep. 2025
In Syria, the Assad regime had this ‘surrender or starve’ set of blockades.
—Elizabeth Yuko, Rolling Stone, 25 Aug. 2025
But Israel’s incoming operation is drawing warning from governments and aid groups, who remain concerned about the Israeli military’s conduct over the past two years amid a high civilian casualty rate, reports of war crimes, human rights abuses and aid blockades.
—Oren Liebermann, CNN Money, 24 Aug. 2025
Noun
Beijing's forces have responded to Philippine challenges with blockades, ramming maneuvers, and water cannon, raising fears that a miscalculation could draw the United States into a conflict with its military rival.
—Micah McCartney, MSNBC Newsweek, 4 Sep. 2025
In Syria, the Assad regime had this ‘surrender or starve’ set of blockades.
—Elizabeth Yuko, Rolling Stone, 25 Aug. 2025
But Israel’s incoming operation is drawing warning from governments and aid groups, who remain concerned about the Israeli military’s conduct over the past two years amid a high civilian casualty rate, reports of war crimes, human rights abuses and aid blockades.
—Oren Liebermann, CNN Money, 24 Aug. 2025
Recent Examples of Synonyms for blockades
Noun
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Climb the fortress trail to San Giovanni—a crumbling hilltop citadel that once guarded the city from Ottoman sieges—where the vistas stretch like a myth across fjord-like waters.—
Lewis Nunn,
Forbes.com,
24 Aug. 2025
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So in the worst sieges in Syria, people could smuggle themselves in and out.—
Isaac Chotiner,
New Yorker,
5 Aug. 2025
Verb
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Russell Westbrook #4 of the Washington Wizards guards Ben Simmons #25 of the Philadelphia 76ers during the fourth quarter at Wells Fargo Center on January 06, 2021 in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania.—
Ricardo Klein,
MSNBC Newsweek,
3 Sep. 2025
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Desiree Martinez, who helps businesses with custom marketing strategies and has 42,000 subscribers, guards her Mondays fiercely.—
Jodie Cook,
Forbes.com,
3 Sep. 2025
Verb
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Dennis tries to hug Roman, but Roman attacks him, punching him multiple times before leaving the hotel room.—
Barry Levitt,
Time,
5 Sep. 2025
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After Wednesday disables the machine with an axe, Isaac’s ability no longer works, and Thing attacks him.—
Dessi Gomez,
Deadline,
4 Sep. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Blockades.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/blockades. Accessed 12 Sep. 2025.
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