blockade 1 of 2

Definition of blockadenext
as in siege
the cutting off of an area by military means to stop the flow of people or supplies it was the blockade of all the enemy's major ports that finally won the war

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blockade

2 of 2

verb

1
as in to guard
to disallow entry into (a place) by means of a physical barrier at the entry point the militant protestors blockaded the whole area around city hall

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2
as in to besiege
to surround (as a fortified place) with armed forces for the purpose of capturing or preventing commerce and communication blockaded the city until it surrendered

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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 blockade
Noun
Re-blockade will now happen at bandit camps and ruins. Paul Tassi, Forbes.com, 22 May 2026 The government claimed that at least three people have died after the blockade prevented emergency vehicles from reaching hospitals, denying patients critical care. Brady Knox, The Washington Examiner, 20 May 2026
Verb
Iran still has a chokehold on the Strait of Hormuz, a vital waterway where a fifth of the world's oil passed through before the war, and America is blockading Iranian ports. Sheikh Saaliq, Arkansas Online, 16 May 2026 Iran has continued to restrict traffic through the Strait of Hormuz, and the United States has blockaded the country’s ports. Karissa Waddick, USA Today, 11 May 2026 See All Example Sentences for blockade
Recent Examples of Synonyms for blockade
Noun
  • That event proved how having real-time, cross-regional coordination mechanisms already in place can ultimately save a grid under siege.
    Fangxing Fran Li, The Conversation, 27 May 2026
  • Muslim Moors ruled the island for 300 years before Christian forces from Catalonia waged a bloody siege in 1229.
    Norma Meyer, Oc Register, 27 May 2026
Verb
  • Last night, guards De’Aaron Fox and Dylan Harper combined to score only 14 points on 5-of-20 shooting.
    Tim Rohan, NBC news, 27 May 2026
  • Therefore, guard your impulses.
    Georgia Nicols, Denver Post, 27 May 2026
Verb
  • Over the years, we were constantly besieged with inquiries.
    Gillian Telling, PEOPLE, 19 May 2026
  • His most recent drama, Evil Does Not Exist, examined the natural world as besieged by modern industry.
    David Canfield, HollywoodReporter, 14 May 2026
Verb
  • The same man later attacked former Olympian Kim Glass in 2022, which prompted Lee to speak out.
    The Editorial Board, Daily News, 28 May 2026
  • The officer who allegedly was attacked suffered minor injuries, Morton said.
    Andrew J. Campa, Los Angeles Times, 28 May 2026
Verb
  • By the afternoon of April 10, one week after Aldis said she was assaulted, a total of seven additional women reported to police that they were assaulted or molested by Borger during a massage.
    Laura Bauer, Kansas City Star, 24 May 2026
  • Blanche refused to rule out the notion that individuals convicted of assaulting police officers would be eligible to obtain money.
    Miami Herald, Miami Herald, 24 May 2026

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Cite this Entry

“Blockade.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/blockade. Accessed 30 May. 2026.

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