garrote

variants or garotte
as in to strangle
to keep (someone) from breathing by exerting pressure on the windpipe the goons sent by the loan shark threatened to garrote the hero with his own necktie

Synonyms & Similar Words

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Antonyms & Near Antonyms

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 garrote That means the Senate's only practical effect is adding another point at which oligarch lobbyists can garrote popular policy. Ryan Cooper, The Week, 29 Oct. 2021 Tony, unhindered by any sense of moral anguish, garrotes the man in broad daylight with a length of cable. Adam Wilson, Harper's magazine, 16 Sep. 2019 Sometimes the line between good writing and bad writing can be as thin as the piano wire with which a madman garrotes his victims. Laura Miller, Slate Magazine, 15 Aug. 2017 Last year, he was garroted by saw briars—the vicious inch-long thorns that lace the course—which left bleeding gashes across his neck. George Pendle, Esquire, 26 July 2017
Recent Examples of Synonyms for garrote
Verb
  • Tanzi drove to the Florida Keys, strangled Acosta and disposed of her body in a secluded area, the documents said.
    Jim Saunders, The Orlando Sentinel, 28 Mar. 2025
  • The 47-year-old was pronounced dead on scene, and detectives later determined Jamison had been strangled, police said.
    Daniella Segura, Sacbee.com, 27 Mar. 2025
Verb
  • Drummond stops choking Mark and backs off slowly, then smashes the pistol from Lorne’s hand.
    Erik Kain, Forbes, 21 Mar. 2025
  • Our beaches are full of these pieces of plastic that end up choking our marine life and polluting our waterways.
    Steve Padilla, San Diego Union-Tribune, 18 Mar. 2025
Verb
  • The Rams throttled Boise State 69-56 at Thomas & Mack Center in Las Vegas, crushing dreams and bursting bubbles as a bid stealer.
    Troy Renck, The Denver Post, 15 Mar. 2025
  • Although Woods and company were throttled by Atlanta Drive, the night left them with many memorable moments, including one of the 15-time major champion's biggest boasts in recent memory.
    Tommy Tuberville, Newsweek, 7 Mar. 2025

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Cite this Entry

“Garrote.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/garrote. Accessed 2 Apr. 2025.

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