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
Thomas G. Moukawsher, Newsweek, 5 Feb. 2025
In the first three months of the war, the archive collected dreams featuring air raids, fireworks, Molotov cocktails, shells, guns, railway stations, debris, drones, soldiers, bunkers, planes, concrete blockades, loudspeakers, camouflage netting, alarm backpacks, Telegram and Signal networks.
—Mireille Juchau, The Dial, 4 Feb. 2025
David Axe, Forbes, 25 Sep. 2024
Trump and many of his advisers are more hawkish on China than on Russia, but that does not mean Trump would risk direct conflict with China if Chinese forces blockaded Taiwan.
—Robin Niblett, Foreign Affairs, 8 Jan. 2025
See All Example Sentences for blockade
Noun
China has responded forcefully to the Philippines' resistance in contested waters, with tactics that include ramming, water cannons and blockades.
—Thomas G. Moukawsher, Newsweek, 5 Feb. 2025
In the first three months of the war, the archive collected dreams featuring air raids, fireworks, Molotov cocktails, shells, guns, railway stations, debris, drones, soldiers, bunkers, planes, concrete blockades, loudspeakers, camouflage netting, alarm backpacks, Telegram and Signal networks.
—Mireille Juchau, The Dial, 4 Feb. 2025
Verb
Remember: those same Republicans blockaded the most recent USAI and PDA authorizations for six months before finally relenting in April.
—David Axe, Forbes, 25 Sep. 2024
Trump and many of his advisers are more hawkish on China than on Russia, but that does not mean Trump would risk direct conflict with China if Chinese forces blockaded Taiwan.
—Robin Niblett, Foreign Affairs, 8 Jan. 2025
See All Example Sentences for blockade
Recent Examples of Synonyms for blockade
Noun
-
The Mongols, led by Kublai Khan (the grandson of Genghis Khan), captured the geographically important city of Xiangyang after a six-year siege.—
Scott Travers,
Forbes,
23 Feb. 2025
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Last week, as gangs were threatening another siege on Port-au-Prince in the mountains above the capital in the areas of Kenscoff and Furcy, Rae led a two-day visit to Washington.—
Jacqueline Charles,
Miami Herald,
18 Feb. 2025
Verb
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Even those who survive are now inclined to guard their cash zealously, limiting their purchases of coffee.—
Peter S. Goodman,
New York Times,
22 Feb. 2025
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However, members of the Texas National Guard, who have been federally deputized, could be involved guarding detainees.—
Tom Vanden Brook,
USA TODAY,
21 Feb. 2025
Verb
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The funeral meats were not yet cold when Mahler-Werfel began to be besieged by men who wished to take charge of her.—
Alex Ross,
The New Yorker,
3 Feb. 2025
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Thousands of structures have been damaged in the fires that have besieged Los Angeles.—
Maxwell Williams,
Los Angeles Times,
11 Jan. 2025
Verb
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The case, which generated headlines around the world, comes amid rising hostility against Muslims and Palestinians in the U.S. since Hamas attacked Israel in October 2023.—
Sophia Tareen and Melissa Perez Winder,
Los Angeles Times,
28 Feb. 2025
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Despite losing all three, there were significant improvements collectively and individually, with contributions from attacking starlets Nico Paz, who scored against Atalanta, and Diao, who got the equaliser against Juventus.—
David Ferrini,
Forbes,
28 Feb. 2025
Verb
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The owner of a Wisconsin ski hill is accused of assaulting a 17-year-old boy who did not pay for an entry pass, authorities say.—
Mike Stunson,
Kansas City Star,
26 Feb. 2025
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Ruis, who had been arrested by Chula Vista police in December 2023 after being accused of assaulting his wife and children, also had a history of mental illness and had repeatedly threatened other people in jail, including deputies, the lawsuit adds.—
Kelly Davis,
The Mercury News,
25 Feb. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Blockade.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/blockade. Accessed 3 Mar. 2025.
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