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

But for all the glamour that fills The Friday Afternoon Club, there’s a tragedy that anchors it: in 1982, the author’s sister Dominique was strangled. —Annabel Gutterman, TIME, 10 Dec. 2024

The pretty girl killed by a boyfriend, the C.E.O. shot on the street, the subway dancer strangled by the ex-marine. —Jia Tolentino, The New Yorker, 7 Dec. 2024

If military rule had returned, nervous investors would strangle this emerging sector in its crib. —Ariel Cohen, Forbes, 4 Dec. 2024

Narratively, Oz strangling his stuttering teenage sidekick and getaway driver Vic (Rhenzy Feliz) was meant to bleed himself of any potential weakness (i.e. his love for the kid). —EW.com, 4 Dec. 2024

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

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