1
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

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2
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

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3

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 At one point, her former sweetheart tried to leap from his chair to strangle her. Mara Bovsun, New York Daily News, 28 June 2025 Tania Thomas, 47, was strangled to death in July 2024 during a multi-day conjugal visit with husband Anthony Desean Curry. Darrell Smith, Sacbee.com, 12 June 2025 Or Mario Aaron Newsome, who strangled both his mother and grandmother. Brian W Jones, Oc Register, 3 June 2025 Progressives say Connecticut has over-corrected for past fiscal mistakes, saving excessively and strangling core programs, even in times of high inflation or shrinking federal aid. Keith M. Phaneuf, Hartford Courant, 17 June 2025 See All Example Sentences for strangle
Recent Examples of Synonyms for strangle
Verb
  • The boy stuck his head through the dividers and appeared to be choking, according to the witness, who said Smith laughed and pushed the boy’s head back through the divider.
    Meredith Colias-Pete, Chicago Tribune, 11 July 2025
  • In addition to the chickens, Frank flushed his shoes down one of the toilets, Dennis and Dee kept blowing fuses with the scheme's need for a power-sucking vacuum sealer, and the basement was choked with carbon monoxide.
    Dennis Perkins, EW.com, 10 July 2025
Verb
  • Leave behind New York’s stifling policies and discover a state where your ambition can soar.
    Mike Dunleavy, New York Daily News, 14 July 2025
  • While luck will favor some and stifle others, here are a few tips on how join the first group: Be Loyal: Elite status with an airline can work wonders.
    Paula Conway, Forbes.com, 14 July 2025
Verb
  • Atlanta has been every bit as suffocating defensively as the Valkyries, albeit with plenty more polish on offense.
    Garrett Chorpenning, New York Times, 11 July 2025
  • A couple in Ohio are facing murder charges after officials say a 2-year-old girl was suffocated to death.
    Kansas City Star, Kansas City Star, 10 July 2025
Verb
  • Past research, Jansen notes, has found that cannabis can suppress the immune system through its active compounds: CBD, THC and other minor cannabinoids.
    Hannah Millington, MSNBC Newsweek, 25 July 2025
  • Sandra Lynn Hemme filed the suit Thursday, which accuses investigators of fabricating evidence, coercing a false confession and suppressing evidence that could have proven her innocence.
    Kendrick Calfee, Kansas City Star, 25 July 2025
Verb
  • Instead, bruising inside Aria’s cheeks and cuts in her mouth consistent with being smothered to death were discovered, said Dr. Tran.
    Miami Herald, Miami Herald, 7 July 2025
  • This lightweight leave-in conditioner is designed for all curl types, from loose waves to coily textures, and hydrates without adding a smothering layer of buildup.
    Jailynn Taylor, Allure, 7 July 2025
Verb
  • Travelers should also observe strict hygiene protocols, including frequent handwashing and avoiding individuals with symptoms such as sore throat, difficulty swallowing, or fever.
    Jasmine Laws, MSNBC Newsweek, 24 July 2025
  • But the villagers broke a sacred taboo by killing hummingbirds, which carried the spirits of their ancestors, and for this offense, their homes were swallowed by a lake of black pitch, never again to be habitable.
    Ian Rose, JSTOR Daily, 23 July 2025
Verb
  • Each year, stories of people acting heroically to rescue others from the water turn tragic when the rescuers end up caught in the rip currents and drown.
    Jeanine Santucci, USA Today, 19 July 2025
  • Truckee police were searching Friday for a possible drowning victim in Donner Lake, said department officials.
    Darrell Smith, Sacbee.com, 18 July 2025

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Cite this Entry

“Strangle.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/strangle. Accessed 30 Jul. 2025.

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