STRANGLE Synonyms: 50 Similar and Opposite Words

strangle

verb

ˈstraŋ-gəl

Definition of strangle

as in to choke

to be or cause to be killed by lack of breathable air the gull got tangled in a piece of fishing line on the beach and was strangled

Synonyms & Similar Words

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Antonyms & Near Antonyms

as in to throttle

to keep (someone) from breathing by exerting pressure on the windpipe the boy complained that he was being strangled by his tie

Synonyms & Similar Words

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

as in to stifle

to refrain from openly showing or uttering strangled a gasp of surprise upon hearing the news

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Antonyms & Near Antonyms

Example Sentences

Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.

Recent Examples of strangle Left with only her hands to fight off Seema, uh … Julia strangles her to death. — Maggie Fremont, Vulture, 16 Oct. 2026 Julia Pederson, 41, of Harrisburg, Pennsylvania, was killed after police say her husband, Jonathan Gatto, 41, strangled her inside the family's home and intentionally set it on fire. — Kelsie Cairns, FOXNews.com, 16 Oct. 2026 The latest slate of attacks is strangling a recovery in movement throughout the strait that had been building for weeks. — Glenn Taylor, Footwear News, 13 Oct. 2026 Tanaya Campbell Ortiz, a former exotic dancer and mom of five found dead inside a trash can near a remote Brooklyn beach, was strangled to death, the city’s medical examiner announced Tuesday. — Roni Jacobson, New York Daily News, 13 Oct. 2026 See All Example Sentences for strangle

Recent Examples of Synonyms for strangle

Verb

Finally, Europe needs the ability to retaliate when China or the United States threatens to choke it.

— Claas Mertens, Foreign Affairs, 19 Oct. 2026
But the real culprit is his failing Iran war, which has choked supply from the Middle East.

— The Week US, TheWeek, 19 Oct. 2026

Definition of choke

Verb

Brown was part of stifling a KC law that was going to protect against housing discrimination on the basis of income source or criminal history in 2025.

— Sophie Lindberg, Kansas City Star, 23 Oct. 2026
Studies have shown that countries with stronger IP systems tend to be more innovative, while weaker IP systems may stifle innovation.

— Andrei Iancu, Fortune, 20 Oct. 2026

Definition of stifle

Verb

The combination of Chance downing teams inside the 10-yard line combined with a suffocating defense could be a recipe for success for TCU in the final half of the season.

— Steven Johnson, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 19 Oct. 2026
Ohio State could still beat USC on the road, even with a backup, considering the Trojans' struggles to win big games under Riley and their suffocating defense.

— Ian Miller OutKick, FOXNews.com, 19 Oct. 2026

Definition of suffocate

Verb

By failing to suppress a Democratic campaign ad about the scandal, the Republican Party is only calling more attention to the misuse of $10 million meant for Florida’s Medicaid program.

— Sun Sentinel Editorial Board, Sun Sentinel, 22 Oct. 2026
Critics say the changes could suppress overseas turnout; volunteers have responded with VoteBnB, matching voters with rides and places to stay near polling stations.

— Branimir Pipal, Los Angeles Times, 22 Oct. 2026

Definition of suppress

Verb

The Bucs have so far smothered the Panthers' offense and evidence of that was Al-Quadin Muhammad's strip-sack of Carolina quarterback Bryce Young.

— Armando Salguero OutKick, FOXNews.com, 25 Oct. 2026
But crisp tortilla layers arrived smothered with vegan cheddar and fresh, vine-ripe tomatoes.

— Amanda Eyre Ward, Bon Appetit Magazine, 22 Oct. 2026

Definition of smother

Verb

There is no answer to be found in this story, no magic pill, pleasingly round, to be halved or crushed, then swallowed.

— Literary Hub, Literary Hub, 26 Oct. 2026
Even more so in Bates’ home of Aroostook County, which swallows some 6,700 square miles way up near the Canadian border.

— Rachel Siegel, CNN Money, 24 Oct. 2026

Definition of swallow

Verb

Equally weighting stocks ensures companies in smaller industries aren’t drowned out by massive ones, like Big Tech.

— David Goldman, CNN Money, 26 Oct. 2026
Other components in blood can produce stronger signals that drown them out, according to a scientific review published in Applied Spectroscopy.

— Bilin Lin, Fortune, 25 Oct. 2026

Definition of drown

Browse Nearby Words

strangers

strangle

strangled

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“Strangle.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/strangle. Accessed 27 Oct. 2026.

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Synonyms of strangle

verb

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