strangle

[strang-guhl]

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

verb (used without object)

strangled, strangling 

1. to be choked, stifled, or suffocated.

strangle

/ 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

Other Word Forms

• strangler noun
• stranglingly adverb
• unstrangled adjective

Word History and Origins

Origin of strangle¹

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

Word History and Origins

Origin of strangle¹

C13: via Old French, ultimately from Greek strangalē a halter

Example Sentences

“I don’t think Fuentes is going away. Ben Shapiro tried to strangle him in the crib in college, and now he’s bigger than ever,” Carlson told his audience to flatter his guest.

Read more on Salon

China has showcased in recent drills how it would encircle and strangle Taiwan by cutting off its life-sustaining shipping lanes—not just exercises rehearing a full-scale invasion.

Read more on The Wall Street Journal

But, five months later, officers told her they did have a disclosure: her boyfriend was known to have strangled previous partners.

Read more on BBC

A few minutes later, he also stabbed and strangled 33-year-old Josh to death when he arrived back from work.

Read more on BBC

But it has just as often been wielded to crush labor strikes and strangle protest movements.

Read more on Los Angeles Times

Related Words

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