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

It is alleged that some victims of the massacre were strangled if they took too long to starve to death.

From BBC

Prosecutors say that one of the victims was strangled and another showed violent injuries.

From BBC

“I grew up with these people,” she says in a strangled voice.

From Los Angeles Times

The fear that our cultural landscape is being attacked by political forces that would strangle the notion of free speech and competing ideologies is real and justified.

From Los Angeles Times

In an economy strangled by inflation, low wages and rising inequality, the number of homeless Americans will almost certainly grow.

From Salon

Related Words

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