1
as in to choke
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
3
as in to stifle
to refrain from openly showing or uttering
strangled a gasp of surprise upon hearing the news
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Antonyms & Near Antonyms
Example Sentences
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Recent Examples of strangle
When Alcmene gave birth (by Zeus) to Hercules, Hera sent two snakes to kill him in his cradle, though the infant strangled them with his bare hands.
—
Cody Cottier, Discover Magazine, 20 Jan. 2025
In a 2012 interview with the AV Club, Patton Oswalt, who played Hedges, alleged that Wesley Snipes strangled the director at one point.
—Stephanie Sengwe, People.com, 18 Jan. 2025
Some could not defend their children because they’d been beaten or strangled unconscious by the same attacker.
—Sonja Sharp, Los Angeles Times, 7 Jan. 2025
Police say Ceja-Ramirez was found strangled, with her body partially burned.
—Liam Quinn, People.com, 23 Jan. 2025
See all Example Sentences for strangle 
Cody Cottier, Discover Magazine, 20 Jan. 2025
In a 2012 interview with the AV Club, Patton Oswalt, who played Hedges, alleged that Wesley Snipes strangled the director at one point.
—Stephanie Sengwe, People.com, 18 Jan. 2025
Some could not defend their children because they’d been beaten or strangled unconscious by the same attacker.
—Sonja Sharp, Los Angeles Times, 7 Jan. 2025
Police say Ceja-Ramirez was found strangled, with her body partially burned.
—Liam Quinn, People.com, 23 Jan. 2025
See all Example Sentences for strangle
Recent Examples of Synonyms for strangle
Verb
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Lenin, a 1988 faux Fabergé egg choking on its rhinestones.—
Jackson Arn,
The New Yorker,
10 Feb. 2025
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Per the incident report, Levin’s family members were right upstairs while he was being beaten and choked in the basement.—
Samira Asma-Sadeque,
People.com,
8 Feb. 2025
Verb
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In the 81st minute, Chelsea picked their way through Brighton’s stifling high press.—
Liam Twomey,
The Athletic,
9 Feb. 2025
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Critics argue this is used to stifle criticism of Israeli policies.—
The Editors of ARTnews,
ARTnews.com,
6 Feb. 2025
Verb
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Little is understood about nitrogen hypoxia, where an inmate is made to suffocate on nitrogen gas delivered through a face mask, and Alabama was the only U.S. state prior to this week that had released a protocol for this type of execution.—
Emily Mae Czachor,
CBS News,
11 Feb. 2025
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At its heart are Rose (Kate Winslet), a fiercely independent woman suffocated by societal expectations, and Jack (Leonardo DiCaprio), a free-spirited artist who teaches her to chase freedom and joy.—
Janey Tracey,
EW.com,
7 Feb. 2025
Verb
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We’ve been conditioned to lead like men, to suppress our intuition, our empathy, and our softness.—
Dr. Brittany Chambers,
Forbes,
7 Feb. 2025
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Officials also say that Fashion Nova has agreed to a settlement order that would prohibit it from suppressing customer reviews.—
Fernando Cervantes Jr.,
USA TODAY,
6 Feb. 2025
Verb
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Dobson was strangled with a computer extension cord and smothered with a plastic bag.—
Thomas G. Moukawsher,
Newsweek,
6 Feb. 2025
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Hot dogs are wrapped in bacon and browned, then smothered with a mixture of peppers and onions.—
SAVEUR Editors,
Saveur,
5 Feb. 2025
Verb
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Esophageal dilation: Strictures, or narrowing of the esophagus, can make swallowing difficult.—
Lindsay Curtis,
Health,
6 Feb. 2025
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Over time, someone with ALS loses the ability to walk, chew, swallow food and breathe, according to WebMD.—
Victoria Edel,
People.com,
6 Feb. 2025
Verb
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The most important thing is to drown out the noise, forget the optics, and focus on creating your most loving experience on Valentine’s Day and beyond.—
Elizabeth Ayoola,
Essence,
11 Feb. 2025
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In 2013, the Italian astronaut Luca Parmitano nearly drowned when a blockage in his suit’s cooling system flooded his helmet with water.—
Dhruv Khullar,
The New Yorker,
10 Feb. 2025
Thesaurus Entries Near strangle
Cite this Entry
“Strangle.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/strangle. Accessed 19 Feb. 2025.
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