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
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Recent Examples of blockading
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
Tom Bowman, NPR, 28 Aug. 2025
Recent Examples of Synonyms for blockading
Verb
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Miller was injured early in the second quarter while guarding Quentin Grimes, extending his arm trying to fight through a screen while slipping simultaneously on his left foot on a wet spot on the floor.—
Roderick Boone,
Charlotte Observer,
31 Oct. 2025
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Lawrence, once an interview-show staple, has retreated from the spotlight in recent years, choosing her movie roles sparingly and closely guarding her private life.—
Anna Kaufman,
USA Today,
29 Oct. 2025
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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In addition, nine other suspects were arrested for allegedly attacking law enforcement officers over the summer during immigration enforcement operations in and around Los Angeles.—
Louis Casiano , Matt Finn,
FOXNews.com,
29 Oct. 2025
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In June 2023, Smith was diagnosed with osteomyelitis, a potentially rare and life-threatening bone infection that was attacking her lower vertebrae.—
Alyssa Davis,
PEOPLE,
29 Oct. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Blockading.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/blockading. Accessed 5 Nov. 2025.
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