stranglehold

noun

stran·​gle·​hold ˈstraŋ-gəl-ˌhōld How to pronounce stranglehold (audio)
1
: an illegal wrestling hold by which one's opponent is choked
2
: a force or influence that chokes or suppresses freedom of movement or expression

Examples of stranglehold in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web
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.
Because of the regime's stranglehold on news and information, many Cubans are unaware of what's really going on around them, both domestically and internationally. Jonathan Granoff, Newsweek, 29 Jan. 2025 Although Russia has struggled to embrace startup culture, the big contractors have a stranglehold on the supply process; corruption is endemic, and the military know who to buy from. David Hambling, Forbes, 24 Jan. 2025 Jean Smart has won a comedy actress Emmy for all three seasons of Hacks so far, and may have a stranglehold on the award until that series ends. Alan Sepinwall, Rolling Stone, 15 Jan. 2025 Despite the irony of two commissioners heading one efficiency body, and their railing against regulatory strangleholds, our economic system seems strangely capable of churning out collective trillionaires. Thomas J. Greitens, Scientific American, 7 Jan. 2025 See all Example Sentences for stranglehold 

Word History

First Known Use

1893, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Time Traveler
The first known use of stranglehold was in 1893

Dictionary Entries Near stranglehold

Cite this Entry

“Stranglehold.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/stranglehold. Accessed 1 Feb. 2025.

Kids Definition

stranglehold

noun
stran·​gle·​hold ˈstraŋ-gəl-ˌhōld How to pronounce stranglehold (audio)
1
: an illegal wrestling hold by which one's opponent is choked
2
: a force or influence that chokes or blocks freedom of development or expression

More from Merriam-Webster on stranglehold

Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
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