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
Synonyms & Similar Words
Relevance
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
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
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
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
Example Sentences
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Recent Examples of blockade
Joseph Krauss, Chicago Tribune, 20 May 2025
Foreign Secretary David Lammy announced the decision during a speech in the House of Commons, urging Netanyahu to end the blockade and military offensive.
—Callum Sutherland, Time, 20 May 2025
Kevin Holden Platt, Forbes.com, 16 Apr. 2025
For most of history, imposing serious economic pressure required the deployment of military forces: ships blockading ports, armies laying siege to cities.
—Edward Fishman, The Atlantic, 24 Feb. 2025
See All Example Sentences for blockade
Noun
Netanyahu said this week’s easing of the blockade is aimed at bridging the gap before the rollout of a new system for distributing aid that Israel says is aimed at keeping it out of Hamas’ hands.
—Joseph Krauss, Chicago Tribune, 20 May 2025
Foreign Secretary David Lammy announced the decision during a speech in the House of Commons, urging Netanyahu to end the blockade and military offensive.
—Callum Sutherland, Time, 20 May 2025
Verb
The airlift saved Ukraine’s leaders from being blockaded inside a new Russian Iron Curtain, but infuriated the Kremlin.
—Kevin Holden Platt, Forbes.com, 16 Apr. 2025
For most of history, imposing serious economic pressure required the deployment of military forces: ships blockading ports, armies laying siege to cities.
—Edward Fishman, The Atlantic, 24 Feb. 2025
See All Example Sentences for blockade
Recent Examples of Synonyms for blockade
Noun
-
Hundreds of thousands of others were trapped for weeks in Russia's siege of the Ukrainian port city, which is located on the Sea of Azov.—
Isabel van Brugen
Shane Croucher,
MSNBC Newsweek,
29 May 2025
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Meanwhile, the Red Sox continue their assault on mediocrity — a siege that began with the Mookie Betts salary dump.—
Bill Speros,
Boston Herald,
21 May 2025
Verb
-
Seeing rookies such as defensive tackle Kenneth Grant, the first-round pick, and guard Jonah Savaiinaea, the second-round pick, out there running around with life-giving joy and their sky-high potential was refreshing.—
Chris Perkins,
Sun Sentinel,
28 May 2025
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Golden State Warriors guard Stephen Curry will return to the American Century Championship, the tournament announced Tuesday.—
Chris Biderman,
Sacbee.com,
27 May 2025
Verb
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San Francisco’s Animal Care and Control was besieged with calls about the dangerous encounters with the problematic Crissy Field animal.—
Heather Knight,
New York Times,
19 May 2025
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In its 18-month campaign in Gaza, Israel has stood out by carrying out an open campaign on hospitals, besieging and raiding them, some several times, as well as hitting multiple others in strikes while accusing Hamas of using them as cover for its fighters.—
Samy Magdy,
Chicago Tribune,
13 Apr. 2025
Verb
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There are several leaf spotting diseases that can attack hydrangeas.—
Janet B. Carson,
Arkansas Online,
23 May 2025
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For example, if China can pin down the United States in the Taiwan Strait, Russia and Iran may seize the moment to attack their neighbors.—
Mark Melton,
National Review,
23 May 2025
Verb
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Super Bowl winner Ray Rice and Kansas City Chiefs running back Kareem Hunt both assaulted women in the past, as well.—
Armon Sadler,
VIBE.com,
21 May 2025
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In the process we were assaulted and responded in kind.—
Tom Dreisbach,
NPR,
21 May 2025
Cite this Entry
“Blockade.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/blockade. Accessed 3 Jun. 2025.
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