strangle

verb

stran·​gle ˈstraŋ-gəl 

strangled; strangling ˈstraŋ-g(ə-)liŋ 

transitive verb

1

a

: to choke to death by compressing the throat with something (such as a hand or rope) : throttle

b

: to obstruct seriously or fatally the normal breathing of

c

: stifle

2

: to suppress or hinder the rise, expression, or growth of

repression strangles free speech

intransitive verb

1

: to become strangled

2

: to die from or as if from interference with breathing

strangler

ˈstraŋ-g(ə-)lər 

noun

Synonyms

• choke
• smother
• stifle
• suffocate

Examples of strangle in a Sentence

The weeds are strangling the plant.

The company is trying to strangle the smaller competition.

Recent Examples on the Web

Prosecutors say that in December 2024, Tyler strangled Bruno to death at the dog’s New Rochelle home. —Lesley Cosme Torres, People.com, 5 June 2025

The man then strangled the dog, injuring its neck and throat, officials said. —Jennifer Rodriguez, Kansas City Star, 3 June 2025

Instead, Tod slips and is painfully strangled to death by his clothesline. —Gayle Sequeira, Vulture, 16 May 2025

Voters have just finished screaming at the top of their lungs that they are being strangled by the cost of living and desperately want to see change. —Jason Fields, MSNBC Newsweek, 13 May 2025

Word History

Etymology

Middle English, from Anglo-French estrangler, from Latin strangulare, from Greek strangalan, from strangalē halter — more at strain

First Known Use

14th century, in the meaning defined at transitive sense 1a

Rhymes for strangle

• angle
• bangle
• dangle
• jangle
• mangle
• tangle
• wrangle
• disentangle
• entangle
• quadrangle
• triangle
• untangle

Kids Definition

strangle

verb

stran·​gle ˈstraŋ-gəl 

strangled; strangling -g(ə-)liŋ 

1

: to choke to death by squeezing the throat

2

: to cause (someone or something) to choke or suffocate

3

: to suppress or hinder the rise, growth, or expression of

these rules are strangling my creativity

4

: to become strangled

5

: to die by or as if by interference with breathing

strangler

-g(ə-)lər 

noun

Medical Definition

strangle

verb

stran·​gle ˈstraŋ-gəl 

strangled; strangling -g(ə-)liŋ 

transitive verb

1

: to choke to death by compressing the throat with something (as a hand or rope)

2

: to obstruct seriously or fatally the normal breathing of

the bone wedged in his throat and strangled him

intransitive verb

1

: to become strangled : undergo a severe interference with breathing

2

: to die from interference with breathing