1
as in choking
to be or cause to be killed by lack of breathable air
the gull got tangled in a piece of fishing line on the beach and was strangled
Synonyms & Similar Words
Relevance
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
2
as in throttling
to keep (someone) from breathing by exerting pressure on the windpipe
the boy complained that he was being strangled by his tie
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
3
as in stifling
to refrain from openly showing or uttering
strangled a gasp of surprise upon hearing the news
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
Example Sentences
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to
show current usage.
Read More
Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors.
Send us feedback.
Recent Examples of strangling
He is accused of also routinely strangling her during assaults.
—
Latoya Gayle, PEOPLE, 22 Sep. 2025
But these advances are also strangling the business of the dictionary.
—Stefan Fatsis, The Atlantic, 13 Sep. 2025
After law enforcement left, the district attorney’s office said Sumpter attacked the woman, punching her in the face and strangling her.
—Daniella Segura, Sacbee.com, 12 Sep. 2025
Former Ohio State long snapper Michael Roen McCullough was arrested in Columbus early Friday morning after allegedly punching his girlfriend and strangling her during an argument, according to police records.
—Paulina Dedaj, FOXNews.com, 1 Sep. 2025
Visualizing the ropes of the nets twisting around the necks of these animals, slowly strangling, choking, running out of oxygen.
—Suwanna Gauntlett Upjohn, Forbes.com, 31 Aug. 2025
More than 80 percent of the invasive plants strangling native ecosystems in Indiana originate from landscaping and horticulture introductions, according to the Hamilton County Invasives Partnership, which runs the trade-in program with the Hamilton County Soil and Water Conservation District.
—Sophie Hartley, IndyStar, 20 Aug. 2025
La Jolla Shores residents want this street to be open with cafe dining, and therefore an end to the merchants’ giant delivery trucks strangling traffic and endangering pedestrians.
—Letters To The Editor, San Diego Union-Tribune, 11 Aug. 2025
At the time of his conviction, Jones was serving a 30-year prison sentence for assaulting and strangling another woman in 2001, according to the Journal Sentinel.
—Everett Eaton, jsonline.com, 9 Aug. 2025
Latoya Gayle, PEOPLE, 22 Sep. 2025
But these advances are also strangling the business of the dictionary.
—Stefan Fatsis, The Atlantic, 13 Sep. 2025
After law enforcement left, the district attorney’s office said Sumpter attacked the woman, punching her in the face and strangling her.
—Daniella Segura, Sacbee.com, 12 Sep. 2025
Former Ohio State long snapper Michael Roen McCullough was arrested in Columbus early Friday morning after allegedly punching his girlfriend and strangling her during an argument, according to police records.
—Paulina Dedaj, FOXNews.com, 1 Sep. 2025
Visualizing the ropes of the nets twisting around the necks of these animals, slowly strangling, choking, running out of oxygen.
—Suwanna Gauntlett Upjohn, Forbes.com, 31 Aug. 2025
More than 80 percent of the invasive plants strangling native ecosystems in Indiana originate from landscaping and horticulture introductions, according to the Hamilton County Invasives Partnership, which runs the trade-in program with the Hamilton County Soil and Water Conservation District.
—Sophie Hartley, IndyStar, 20 Aug. 2025
La Jolla Shores residents want this street to be open with cafe dining, and therefore an end to the merchants’ giant delivery trucks strangling traffic and endangering pedestrians.
—Letters To The Editor, San Diego Union-Tribune, 11 Aug. 2025
At the time of his conviction, Jones was serving a 30-year prison sentence for assaulting and strangling another woman in 2001, according to the Journal Sentinel.
—Everett Eaton, jsonline.com, 9 Aug. 2025
Recent Examples of Synonyms for strangling
Verb
-
To avoid choking hazards, the researchers recommend pureeing blueberries for younger infants and mashing or cutting them into small pieces for older babies and toddlers.—
Daniella Gray,
MSNBC Newsweek,
16 Sep. 2025
-
Baltimore led Buffalo by 15 points with four minutes to go Sunday night before choking away a 41-40 loss in what became an instant classic.—
Parker Gabriel,
Denver Post,
13 Sep. 2025
Verb
-
The Justice Department contends a breakup would be the most effective and quickest way to undercut a monopoly that has been stifling competition and innovation for years.—
Michael Liedtke,
Fortune,
22 Sep. 2025
-
In junior tournaments, there can be stifling pressure on kids as young as 8.—
Don Norcross,
San Diego Union-Tribune,
22 Sep. 2025
Verb
-
His body was transported to a local private hospital, where a death certificate was issued with drowning as the alleged cause of death.—
Raven Brunner,
PEOPLE,
21 Sep. 2025
-
According to The Cleveland Clinic, the condition can happen from strangulation, suffocation, smothering, hanging, drowning and more.—
Natalie Neysa Alund,
USA Today,
19 Sep. 2025
Verb
-
The dynamic is suppressing wages and disincentivizing Americans from choosing careers in STEM fields, the White House said.—
Bloomberg,
Mercury News,
21 Sep. 2025
-
The dynamic is suppressing wages and disincentivizing Americans from choosing careers in STEM fields, the White House said.—
Bloomberg News,
Boston Herald,
20 Sep. 2025
Verb
-
Cleveland's suffocating defense was all over the Packers, getting after Jordan Love plenty.—
James Brizuela,
MSNBC Newsweek,
21 Sep. 2025
-
The heat this year lasted for long, suffocating stretches.—
Jessie Yeung,
CNN Money,
19 Sep. 2025
Verb
-
The little girl also had trouble swallowing for a couple of days afterward, her mother said.—
Harriet Ramos,
Fort Worth Star-Telegram,
25 Sep. 2025
-
Rising seas swallowing coastlines.—
Antonio Maria Delgado,
Miami Herald,
23 Sep. 2025
Verb
-
Both of the Ichabods’ touchdowns in this game came on screen passes, which was easily the most effective way Washburn attacked an otherwise smothering defense.—
Corey Masisak,
Denver Post,
14 Sep. 2025
-
An offseason of change came to fruition under the lights at Bank of America Stadium on Friday night, with first-year head coach Dowell Loggains’ Appalachian State Mountaineers smothering the Charlotte 49ers from start to finish, grabbing a 34-11 season-opening victory.—
Hunter Bailey,
Charlotte Observer,
30 Aug. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Strangling.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/strangling. Accessed 29 Sep. 2025.
Copy CitationLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
Share