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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People will also be asking who has a building big enough for our subset group of archivists documenting, artists making things, community organizers gathering, professors panicking, singers singing, parents guarding in order to gather us together again.—
Angela Pelster,
Literary Hub,
29 Jan. 2026
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Longtime American allies who have been guarding tens of thousands of Islamic State fighters and their families agreed this week to be integrated into the Syrian armed forces.—
Chantal Da Silva,
NBC news,
23 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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The president also shared clips of the video on his Truth Social handle, along with posts mocking and attacking Pretti.—
Siladitya Ray,
Forbes.com,
29 Jan. 2026
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Stay focused on the issue, rather than attacking the other person’s character.—
Molly Burrets,
CNBC,
29 Jan. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Blockading.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/blockading. Accessed 31 Jan. 2026.
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