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
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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
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Recent Examples of strangling
Horner told a false story about hitting the little girl with his van and then strangling her in a panic, according to testimony of the case’s lead investigator, Texas Ranger Job Espinoza.
—
Harriet Ramos, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 24 Apr. 2026
White House press secretary Karoline Leavitt told reporters on Wednesday that the blockade was strangling Iran’s economy.
—Bart Jansen, USA Today, 23 Apr. 2026
This month, Willacy testified to spare the life of Miami killer Rafael Andres, who a jury said should be condemned to die for the beating, stabbing and strangling of a La Carreta waitress in 2005.
—Grethel Aguila, Miami Herald, 23 Apr. 2026
Dispatchers told officers that the man who called 911 confessed to strangling his grandmother to death, McCabe said.
—Kendrick Calfee, Kansas City Star, 18 Apr. 2026
The episode culminates with Vanessa dying in her hospital bed, sending Wilson into a fit of uncontrollable rage that ends with him strangling a man to death.
—Antonio Ferme, Variety, 15 Apr. 2026
The emerging uproar could prove costly for Swalwell if his fundraising dries up, strangling his ability to run campaign ads, or if unions and other groups that endorsed his campaign begin to retract their decisions.
—ABC News, 10 Apr. 2026
Demorris Hunter was accused of strangling 38-year-old Teresa Green in May 2002 shortly after a party with their neighbors allegedly ended in a drunken altercation.
—Cristóbal Reyes, The Orlando Sentinel, 8 Apr. 2026
Within minutes, Doorbal was strangling Frank in the bedroom.
—Troy Roberts, CBS News, 8 Apr. 2026
Harriet Ramos, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 24 Apr. 2026
White House press secretary Karoline Leavitt told reporters on Wednesday that the blockade was strangling Iran’s economy.
—Bart Jansen, USA Today, 23 Apr. 2026
This month, Willacy testified to spare the life of Miami killer Rafael Andres, who a jury said should be condemned to die for the beating, stabbing and strangling of a La Carreta waitress in 2005.
—Grethel Aguila, Miami Herald, 23 Apr. 2026
Dispatchers told officers that the man who called 911 confessed to strangling his grandmother to death, McCabe said.
—Kendrick Calfee, Kansas City Star, 18 Apr. 2026
The episode culminates with Vanessa dying in her hospital bed, sending Wilson into a fit of uncontrollable rage that ends with him strangling a man to death.
—Antonio Ferme, Variety, 15 Apr. 2026
The emerging uproar could prove costly for Swalwell if his fundraising dries up, strangling his ability to run campaign ads, or if unions and other groups that endorsed his campaign begin to retract their decisions.
—ABC News, 10 Apr. 2026
Demorris Hunter was accused of strangling 38-year-old Teresa Green in May 2002 shortly after a party with their neighbors allegedly ended in a drunken altercation.
—Cristóbal Reyes, The Orlando Sentinel, 8 Apr. 2026
Within minutes, Doorbal was strangling Frank in the bedroom.
—Troy Roberts, CBS News, 8 Apr. 2026
Recent Examples of Synonyms for strangling
Verb
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James Ernest Hitchcock, 70, is scheduled to received a lethal injection for his conviction in the fatal beating and choking of his 13-year-old niece.—
David Fischer,
Sun Sentinel,
21 Apr. 2026
-
He was convicted of beating and choking his 13-year-old niece to death.—
CBS Miami Team,
CBS News,
21 Apr. 2026
Verb
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The defense is historically stifling.—
Joel Lorenzi,
New York Times,
20 Apr. 2026
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The bill, which passed with another similar piece of legislation aimed at limiting protests around houses of worship, has drawn concerns about stifling free speech rights, especially for pro-Palestine protests.—
Josephine Stratman,
New York Daily News,
17 Apr. 2026
Verb
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An autopsy performed on Monday by the Lake County Coroner's Office indicated that the man's death was consistent with drowning.—
Jeramie Bizzle,
CBS News,
21 Apr. 2026
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Unfortunately, João died unexpectedly after hitting his head and drowning in the family’s new swimming pool when Ronaldinho was eight, per the Bleacher Report.—
Nasha Smith,
PEOPLE,
18 Apr. 2026
Verb
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The drug has already taught the field that powerfully suppressing this key cancer driver actually works.—
Lisa Jarvis,
Mercury News,
23 Apr. 2026
-
By suppressing appetite, the body can direct more energy toward the immune response.—
Jasna Hodžić,
Big Think,
22 Apr. 2026
Verb
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This was the old Magic — the nasty, physical, suffocating defensive team that made every possession feel like work.—
Mike Bianchi,
The Orlando Sentinel,
18 Apr. 2026
-
Its defense remains historically suffocating.—
The Athletic NBA Staff,
New York Times,
13 Apr. 2026
Verb
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Popular with airboaters, froggers and fishermen, the swampy muck beneath the water may have acted as a pincushion, essentially swallowing the disabled DC-9 aircraft.—
Miami Herald Archives,
Miami Herald,
21 Apr. 2026
-
Avoid swallowing water while swimming.—
Stephen Underwood,
Hartford Courant,
19 Apr. 2026
Verb
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Wallstedt polished off the first Stars' power play by snapping his glove around Mikko Rantanen's shot and smothering Esa Lindell's bad-angle attempt.—
CBS News,
CBS News,
23 Apr. 2026
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Burton shared this adorable flick of Morgan smothering their firstborn in kisses.—
Stephanie Sengwe,
PEOPLE,
22 Apr. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Strangling.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/strangling. Accessed 26 Apr. 2026.
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