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
The man previously on Florida’s Death Row for beating, stabbing and strangling a La Carreta waitress with a rice cooker — before lighting a blaze to destroy key evidence — should be condemned to die, Miami prosecutors told a jury after detailing the slaying on Wednesday morning.
—
Grethel Aguila, Miami Herald, 5 Nov. 2025
When Josh got home five minutes later, Martin met him at the door with a knife and chased him upstairs, stabbing him and then strangling him with a belt or a rope, Evans said.
—Kc Baker, PEOPLE, 30 Oct. 2025
China, in turn, imposed new strangling restrictions on the export of seven rare earth minerals.
—Mira Rapp-Hooper, Foreign Affairs, 29 Oct. 2025
Prosecutors accuse Haile of strangling Kathleen Carrig, then setting fire to their apartment with gasoline, the outlet reported.
—Jenna Sundel, MSNBC Newsweek, 24 Oct. 2025
Maeve is in the hen house with Jayson, banging his gun around and nearly strangling her.
—Grace Byron, Vulture, 20 Oct. 2025
He was sentenced to die in 1983 for raping and strangling a woman in Newberry County and stealing her jewelry, according to court records.
—Greg Norman, FOXNews.com, 11 Oct. 2025
Daryl charges inside and fights off walkers before strangling Chofo in the bathtub.
—Dave Nemetz, TVLine, 5 Oct. 2025
But these advances are also strangling the business of the dictionary.
—Stefan Fatsis, The Atlantic, 13 Sep. 2025
Grethel Aguila, Miami Herald, 5 Nov. 2025
When Josh got home five minutes later, Martin met him at the door with a knife and chased him upstairs, stabbing him and then strangling him with a belt or a rope, Evans said.
—Kc Baker, PEOPLE, 30 Oct. 2025
China, in turn, imposed new strangling restrictions on the export of seven rare earth minerals.
—Mira Rapp-Hooper, Foreign Affairs, 29 Oct. 2025
Prosecutors accuse Haile of strangling Kathleen Carrig, then setting fire to their apartment with gasoline, the outlet reported.
—Jenna Sundel, MSNBC Newsweek, 24 Oct. 2025
Maeve is in the hen house with Jayson, banging his gun around and nearly strangling her.
—Grace Byron, Vulture, 20 Oct. 2025
He was sentenced to die in 1983 for raping and strangling a woman in Newberry County and stealing her jewelry, according to court records.
—Greg Norman, FOXNews.com, 11 Oct. 2025
Daryl charges inside and fights off walkers before strangling Chofo in the bathtub.
—Dave Nemetz, TVLine, 5 Oct. 2025
But these advances are also strangling the business of the dictionary.
—Stefan Fatsis, The Atlantic, 13 Sep. 2025
Recent Examples of Synonyms for strangling
Verb
-
The clouds billowed as far east as New York, choking farm economies in the middle of the country and sending millions of people on the move.—
Vann R. Newkirk II,
The Atlantic,
10 Nov. 2025
-
The two eventually fell to the floor of the bus, and the choking continued, according to the complaint.—
Teri Figueroa,
San Diego Union-Tribune,
8 Nov. 2025
Verb
-
The space was stifling in the Louisiana heat, so fans were blowing for everyone inside.—
Luke Chinman,
PEOPLE,
31 Oct. 2025
-
Like the face-to-face collaboration benefits lost at GISS, employees fear shutting down Goddard's cafeteria will be stifling.—
Josh Dinner,
Space.com,
31 Oct. 2025
Verb
-
Officials said most people died from drowning as the storm triggered flash floods and caused rivers to swell above their danger levels.—
Helen Regan,
CNN Money,
6 Nov. 2025
-
On May 18, Kiser's 3-year-old son Trigg died after a drowning accident at their home in Chandler, Arizona.—
Melina Khan,
USA Today,
3 Nov. 2025
Verb
-
As Charlotte explains, barely suppressing her resentment, Leroy is concerned that her commitment to the cause could stall his ascent at work.—
Louis Peitzman,
Vulture,
10 Nov. 2025
-
The damage from Biden’s inner circle suppressing her achievements and letting negative narratives run wild was done.—
Emma Burleigh,
Fortune,
6 Nov. 2025
Verb
-
There’s nothing Vlasic would love more than to be the next Los Angeles Kings, suffocating teams and limiting chances.—
Mark Lazerus,
New York Times,
2 Nov. 2025
-
The searing drama follows the titular socialite (Tessa Thompson) over the course of one opulent, suffocating party.—
Patrick Ryan,
USA Today,
31 Oct. 2025
Verb
-
When To Seek Medical Care Things like fizzy drinks, overeating, or swallowing air can cause bloating.—
Merve Ceylan,
Health,
7 Nov. 2025
-
Signs of botulism include difficulty swallowing or breathing, slurred speech and muscle weakness.—
CNN Money,
CNN Money,
6 Nov. 2025
Verb
-
Brett Gelman, as the zany Murray, became a fan-favorite recurring character, while Cara Buono continued her role as Mike Wheeler's likable but smothering mom, Karen Wheeler.—
Melissa Fleur Afshar,
MSNBC Newsweek,
7 Nov. 2025
-
The Agfabric frost blanket is a simple way to protect plants from frost, wind and pests without smothering them.—
Nora Colomer
may earn a commission if you buy through our referral links. This content was created by a team that works independently from the Fox newsroom.,
FOXNews.com,
16 Oct. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Strangling.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/strangling. Accessed 29 Nov. 2025.
Copy CitationLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
Share