strangle

American  

[strang-guhl] / ˈstræŋ gəl /

verb (used with object)

strangled, strangling

1. to kill by squeezing the throat in order to compress the windpipe and prevent the intake of air, as with the hands or a tightly drawn cord.

   Synonyms:

   choke, throttle, garrote

2. to kill by stopping the breath in any manner; choke; stifle; suffocate.

   Synonyms:

   smother

3. to prevent the continuance, growth, rise, or action of; suppress.

   Censorship strangles a free press.

   Synonyms:

   muzzle, gag, repress, check

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verb (used without object)

strangled, strangling

1. to be choked, stifled, or suffocated.

strangle British  

/ ˈstræŋɡəl /

verb

1. (tr) to kill by compressing the windpipe; throttle

2. (tr) to prevent or inhibit the growth or development of

   to strangle originality

3. (tr) to suppress (an utterance) by or as if by swallowing suddenly

   to strangle a cry

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Other Word Forms

• strangler noun
• stranglingly adverb
• unstrangled adjective

Etymology

Origin of strangle

1250–1300; Middle English strangelen < Old French estrangler < Latin strangulāre < Greek strangalân, derivative of strangálē halter, akin to strangós twisted

Example Sentences

The so-called strangle strategy entails buying a put option and call option that are below and above the market, respectively, and that share the same expiration date.

From Barron's

The strangle costs about $13.15, but of course, the actual cost of the trade is multiplied by 100, which each options contract represents.

From Barron's

"We see the island of Cuba being strangled," said the musician, wearing sunglasses next to bandmates Moglai Bap and DJ Provai, the latter wearing a balaclava in the colors of the Irish flag.

From Barron's

Stagflation doesn’t have to strangle your stock portfolio.

From MarketWatch

The group aims to fight regulations they say will strangle AI.

From The Wall Street Journal

Related Words

• gag
• inhibit
• kill
• restrain
• smother
• suffocate