1
as in guarding
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
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Antonyms & Near Antonyms
2
as in besieging
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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Antonyms & Near Antonyms
Example Sentences
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Recent Examples of blockading
Iran still has a chokehold on the Strait of Hormuz, a vital waterway where a fifth of the world’s oil passed through before the war, and America is blockading Iranian ports.
—
Sheikh Saaliq, Chicago Tribune, 16 May 2026
Iran still has a chokehold on the Strait of Hormuz, a vital waterway where a fifth of the world's oil passed through before the war, and America is blockading Iranian ports.
—Sheikh Saaliq, Arkansas Online, 16 May 2026
Atlantic piracy had reached its peak, blockading the port of Charleston and choking off trade routes from the Caribbean to Long Island.
—Nick Lichtenberg, Fortune, 9 May 2026
On Thursday, though, Iranian Parliament Speaker Mohammad Bagher Ghalibaf – who is leading negotiations for Tehran and has emerged as the key voice of the Iranian government – ridiculed the notion of blockading Iran, pointing to the country’s extensive land and maritime borders.
—Nic Robertson, CNN Money, 1 May 2026
The al-Qaida linked JNIM group — Jama’at Nusrat al-Islam wal-Muslimin — has expanded in recent years, seizing vast swaths of territory and recently blockading off Bamako from fuel shipments.
—ABC News, 27 Apr. 2026
The blockading country's navy must essentially pull over ships, like a traffic cop at sea.
—Scott Neuman, NPR, 16 Apr. 2026
Since the Ayatollah was killed, Iran has gained leverage over the United States and Israel by blockading the Strait of Hormuz and torpedoing the global economy.
—Sudarsan Raghavan, New Yorker, 16 Apr. 2026
Trump is blockading Iranian ports in the Persian Gulf.
—Anniek Bao, CNBC, 14 Apr. 2026
Sheikh Saaliq, Chicago Tribune, 16 May 2026
Iran still has a chokehold on the Strait of Hormuz, a vital waterway where a fifth of the world's oil passed through before the war, and America is blockading Iranian ports.
—Sheikh Saaliq, Arkansas Online, 16 May 2026
Atlantic piracy had reached its peak, blockading the port of Charleston and choking off trade routes from the Caribbean to Long Island.
—Nick Lichtenberg, Fortune, 9 May 2026
On Thursday, though, Iranian Parliament Speaker Mohammad Bagher Ghalibaf – who is leading negotiations for Tehran and has emerged as the key voice of the Iranian government – ridiculed the notion of blockading Iran, pointing to the country’s extensive land and maritime borders.
—Nic Robertson, CNN Money, 1 May 2026
The al-Qaida linked JNIM group — Jama’at Nusrat al-Islam wal-Muslimin — has expanded in recent years, seizing vast swaths of territory and recently blockading off Bamako from fuel shipments.
—ABC News, 27 Apr. 2026
The blockading country's navy must essentially pull over ships, like a traffic cop at sea.
—Scott Neuman, NPR, 16 Apr. 2026
Since the Ayatollah was killed, Iran has gained leverage over the United States and Israel by blockading the Strait of Hormuz and torpedoing the global economy.
—Sudarsan Raghavan, New Yorker, 16 Apr. 2026
Trump is blockading Iranian ports in the Persian Gulf.
—Anniek Bao, CNBC, 14 Apr. 2026
Recent Examples of Synonyms for blockading
Verb
-
Let conversation improve the work instead of guarding it too tightly.—
Tarot.com,
New York Daily News,
10 May 2026
-
The former South Carolina standout handled the ball well and showcased her ability to attack the rim when a slower defender was guarding her.—
Nathan Canilao,
Mercury News,
9 May 2026
Verb
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Israel tried to take over Gaza City before in this war, besieging it and launching raids in its streets, but tens of thousands of people remained.—
Aya Batrawy,
NPR,
5 Sep. 2025
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And while politicians know that there are costs to besieging an independent central bank – financial markets may react negatively or inflation may flare up – short-term control of a powerful policy tool can prove irresistible.—
Ana Carolina Garriga,
The Conversation,
26 Aug. 2025
Verb
-
Both sides accuse the other of intentionally attacking civilian targets.—
David Brennan,
ABC News,
14 May 2026
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So when attacking midfielder Nick Moon carried the ball down the left wing in the eighth minute, AC Boise bodies began rushing into the box.—
Shaun Goodwin,
Idaho Statesman,
14 May 2026
Cite this Entry
“Blockading.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/blockading. Accessed 18 May. 2026.
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