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.
-
to make a noose with or in (a rope or the like).
noun
-
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
-
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
-
noosessimple
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have noosedperfect
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has noosedperfect
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am noosingprogressive
-
are noosingprogressive
-
is noosingprogressive
-
have been noosingperfect progressive
-
has been noosingperfect progressive
Past
-
noosedsimple
-
had noosedperfect
-
was noosingprogressive
-
were noosingprogressive
-
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:
By handing Banks a length of rope instead, and standing by as she prettily ties it into a noose, they invite the audience to conclude that the many sins of “Top Model” weren’t merely systemic.
From Salon ● Feb. 20, 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
"It's been like a noose around our neck, ever since the route was chosen," says Ms Thacker, who has lived in her house for 38 years.
From BBC ● Mar. 28, 2025
And the methods of transport through these new subdivisions, across the sprawl, is the automobile, the noose around the neck of the earth, and ultimately, the Dreamers themselves.
From "Between the World and Me" by Ta-Nehisi Coates
The Coast Guard had signed off on a policy on November 13 that downgraded the classification of symbols such as swastikas and nooses, according to a report from the Washington Post.
From Salon ● Nov. 21, 2025
He had pointed to the enclaves where one group of human beings was walled off from another group, where the green lines between countries doubled back on themselves and looped into zeros, into nooses.
From New York Times ● Nov. 3, 2022
In it, singer Yawar Abdal imagines a Kashmir where people, blindfolded and with nooses around their necks, are liberated amid chants of “All shall be free.”
From Seattle Times ● Jul. 4, 2022
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
He had heard of nooses being set for animals as large as the Quaggas, and of many being caught in that manner.
From The Bush Boys History and Adventures of a Cape Farmer and his Family by Mayne Reid
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
Pete and Farrish slipped off the lariat that remained noosed around the outlaw’s neck, and stepped back.
From The Heart of Thunder Mountain by Anton Otto Fischer
Mitchum is snagging coconuts and noosing turtles; Deborah is roasting breadfruit and thatching a sail.
From Time Magazine Archive
A temporary substitute for a curb is made by noosing a string, and putting the noose round the horse's lower jaw.
From The Art of Travel Shifts and Contrivances Available in Wild Countries by Sir Francis Galton
Also he had a horrid habit of noosing moccasins for sport; and it would have been easy for him to introduce one to me while I slept.
From Police!!! by Henry Hutt
"And now fill your glass again, Captain; I am going to make you happy; I am going to let you into a secret—a plot—a noosing plot—only the noose is but typical."
From The Bride of Lammermoor by Sir Walter Scott
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
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