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
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
Example Sentences
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Recent Examples of blockading
Witnesses report that other vehicles besides Good's were blockading unmarked immigration agent vehicles with their emergency LED lights activated.
—
Dana Kelley, Arkansas Online, 9 Jan. 2026
But others describe the reality of the early weeks, where discussion was completely hampered by Israel's insistence on fully blockading aid into Gaza.
—Tom Bowman, NPR, 28 Aug. 2025
Dana Kelley, Arkansas Online, 9 Jan. 2026
But others describe the reality of the early weeks, where discussion was completely hampered by Israel's insistence on fully blockading aid into Gaza.
—Tom Bowman, NPR, 28 Aug. 2025
Recent Examples of Synonyms for blockading
Verb
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With Minnesota leading by four and 1 minute, 10 seconds to play, Edwards got lackadaisical in his off-ball defense while guarding Chicago’s most potent scorer, Coby White.—
Jace Frederick,
Twin Cities,
23 Jan. 2026
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Junior Waleed Muhammad, who played nearly every minute of this game, guarding the opponents top player.—
Marielle Mohs,
CBS News,
22 Jan. 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
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Vardan Kostanyan, who owns Laundry King with his wife, said the suspect walked into their laundromat on Tuesday and demanded the keys to their safe before attacking his wife.—
Lauren Pozen,
CBS News,
23 Jan. 2026
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He has also been accused of attacking authorities with explosives.—
Arkansas Online,
Arkansas Online,
23 Jan. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Blockading.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/blockading. Accessed 24 Jan. 2026.
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