stranglehold
Americannoun
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Wrestling. an illegal hold by which an opponent's breath is choked off.
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a restraining hold in which one person uses an arm to encircle the neck of another; a chokehold.
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any force or influence that restricts the free actions or development of a person or thing; a stifling grip.
to break the stranglehold of superstition.
noun
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a wrestling hold in which a wrestler's arms are pressed against his opponent's windpipe See also Japanese stranglehold
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complete power or control over a person or situation
Etymology
Origin of stranglehold
Explanation
In wrestling, a stranglehold is a strong grip around an opponent's neck. Figuratively, you have a stranglehold on something (or someone) when you have complete control over it. The powerful hold that's also known as a chokehold is used in various martial arts, as well as police and military training. A true stranglehold does just what its name describes, constricting a person's breathing. Even if someone doesn't literally have you by the neck, you might feel a stranglehold being exerted by things like stress, deadlines, or debt.
Vocabulary lists containing stranglehold
Chew On This
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The Most Beautiful Roof in the World
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Compound Fracture
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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.
Look at the stranglehold ridesharing apps have on hailing a cab.
From Salon • Apr. 13, 2026
The British sled, featuring Brad Hall and Taylor Lawrence, will be among those seeking to end Germany's stranglehold.
From BBC • Feb. 2, 2026
It also seeks to challenge Beijing's stranglehold on critical materials which threatens key EU industries.
From Barron's • Feb. 2, 2026
And he wants access to Greenland’s critical minerals, to help break China’s global stranglehold.
From The Wall Street Journal • Jan. 15, 2026
His stark questions caught me in a stranglehold.
From "The City Beautiful" by Aden Polydoros
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.
