strangle

verb

stran·​gle ˈstraŋ-gəl How to pronounce strangle (audio)
strangled; strangling ˈstraŋ-g(ə-)liŋ How to pronounce strangle (audio)

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 noun

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
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.
Jamie Busch allegedly strangled her sister in her home during an altercation between 4:50 p.m. and 11:59 on October 8. Nina Turner, Newsweek, 29 Oct. 2024 She’d been stripped naked and strangled with her own stockings, with a bite mark on her breast. Laura Bradley, Vulture, 18 Oct. 2024 In rare cases, people die; there are other cases in which people have a stroke days or weeks or even months later and may not connect it to being strangled. Keren Landman, Vox, 8 Oct. 2024 With grocery lists to pen and holiday shopping to plan, U.S. shoppers may soon be met with empty store shelves due to a nationwide strike that some experts say could strangle the country's supply chain for an array of products. Rachel Smith, The Indianapolis Star, 3 Oct. 2024 See all Example Sentences for strangle 

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

Time Traveler
The first known use of strangle was in the 14th century

Dictionary Entries Near strangle

Cite this Entry

“Strangle.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/strangle. Accessed 23 Nov. 2024.

Kids Definition

strangle

verb
stran·​gle ˈstraŋ-gəl How to pronounce strangle (audio)
strangled; strangling -g(ə-)liŋ How to pronounce strangle (audio)
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 noun

Medical Definition

strangle

verb
stran·​gle ˈstraŋ-gəl How to pronounce strangle (audio)
strangled; strangling -g(ə-)liŋ How to pronounce strangle (audio)

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

More from Merriam-Webster on strangle

Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
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