noose
Americannoun
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nooses
plural
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a loop with a running knot, as in a snare, lasso, or hangman's halter, that tightens as the rope is pulled.
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a tie or bond; snare.
verb (used with object)
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nooses,
present (3rd person singular)
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noosed,
past participle, past
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noosing
present participle
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to secure by or as by a noose.
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to make a noose with or in (a rope or the like).
noun
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a loop in the end of a rope or cord, such as a lasso, snare, or hangman's halter, usually tied with a slipknot
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something that restrains, binds, or traps
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to bring about one's own downfall
verb
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to secure or catch in or as if in a noose
-
to make a noose of or in
Other Word Forms
Derived Forms
Inflected Forms
Nouns
Participles
Conjugated Forms
Present
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noosesimple
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noosessimple
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have noosedperfect
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has noosedperfect
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am noosingprogressive
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are noosingprogressive
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is noosingprogressive
-
have been noosingperfect progressive
-
has been noosingperfect progressive
Past
-
noosedsimple
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had noosedperfect
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was noosingprogressive
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were noosingprogressive
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had been noosingperfect progressive
Future
Etymology
Origin of noose
1400–50; late Middle English nose < ?
Example Sentences
Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.
See Examples For:
You’re able to evade feeling pinched by the noose of transactional cosmopolitianism.
From Los Angeles Times ● Mar. 26, 2026
Iraqi civilians initially tried to pull it down, scaling the statue to secure a noose around its neck, but were unable to dismantle it.
From BBC ● Mar. 12, 2026
If rates keep climbing, the fiscal noose might tighten.
From Barron's ● Jan. 8, 2026
Despite waves of Carthaginian resistance and the increasing hostility of Roman elites, who resented his precocious record and thirst for glory, Scipio tightened the noose around Carthage.
From The Wall Street Journal ● Nov. 16, 2025
Turner closed the gate and, leaning over the fence, dropped the noose over the pigs head.
From "Atonement" by Ian McEwan
Adding to the turmoil is disagreement about even some of the most basic facts of the case, like how many nooses have been found.
From New York Times ● Jul. 30, 2021
I think that when people think racism, they think of nooses and white supremacists groups.
From Salon ● Jul. 22, 2021
Critics allege the industry has serious safety problems, with dangers posed by nooses, hair dryers and poor handling by groomers.
From Los Angeles Times ● Jul. 12, 2021
The law, filed as HB0418, would institute a statewide order disallowing any symbols of hate including, but not limited to: swastikas, Confederate flags and nooses - though they can be displayed in classroom settings.
From Washington Times ● Mar. 30, 2021
Now, nooses were twisted about the noses of the horses.
From The Plow-Woman by Eleanor Gates
You would see them trundle up and down Spinner's Walk trailing wires and lights, their gaze rolling towards the hospital gates on Clarence Road, their necks noosed by camera straps.
From The Guardian ● Sep. 19, 2014
You would see them trundle up and down Spinner’s Walk trailing wires and lights, their gaze rolling toward the hospital gates on Clarence Road, their necks noosed by camera straps.
From New York Times ● Sep. 19, 2014
The astonished fishermen noosed the two animals, hauled them aboard, took them ashore.
From Time Magazine Archive
I willed them to move, but my conscience noosed around my ankles and pulled down hard.
From "Salt to the Sea" by Ruta Sepetys
The Lanes have got that will as sure as my name's Jonas Aldridge, and have been waiting to produce it till they had him fast noosed.
From The International Monthly, Vol. II, No. I December 1, 1850 by Various
Mitchum is snagging coconuts and noosing turtles; Deborah is roasting breadfruit and thatching a sail.
From Time Magazine Archive
He said, and noosing a strong galley-rope To an huge column, led the cord around The spacious dome, suspended so aloft 540 That none with quiv’ring feet might reach the floor.
From The Odyssey of Homer by William Cowper
These consisted of long thongs of reindeer-skin, and also hempen cords of the manufacture of civilized men, for noosing the reins, and of bowls, kits, &c., to receive the milk.
From Harper's New Monthly Magazine, Vol. 3, July, 1851 by Various
Carefully climbing on, I set to work, and succeeded in noosing four of each species.
From The Wanderers Adventures in the Wilds of Trinidad and Orinoco by Perat
They were all tied to different trees by the legs, and upon approaching the spot, we found an encampment of Arabs and Moormen who had been noosing elephants for sale.
From The Rifle and the Hound in Ceylon by Sir Samuel White Baker
Definitions and idiom definitions from Dictionary.com Unabridged, based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023
Idioms from The American Heritage® Idioms Dictionary copyright © 2002, 2001, 1995 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company.
