strangled 1 of 2

adjective

as in choked

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strangled

2 of 2

verb

past tense of strangle
1
as in drowned
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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Antonyms & Near Antonyms
2
as in throttled
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
as in stifled
to refrain from openly showing or uttering strangled a gasp of surprise upon hearing the news

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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 strangled
Verb
After an opening week of wrenching testimony and a jury trip to the home where Lindsay Clancy strangled her three children, her murder trial resumes Monday with more testimony about the killings in a coastal Massachusetts town in 2023. — ABC News, 3 Aug. 2026 Both concluded that Leslie had been hit over the head and strangled. — Brenna Ehrlich, Rolling Stone, 31 July 2026 Cooper was eventually charged with felony assault after a forensic exam done at Anschutz Medical Center after the altercation indicated the girlfriend had been strangled. — Parker Gabriel, Denver Post, 29 July 2026 On January 24, Lindsay Clancy fatally strangled her three children in the basement of their Massachusetts home. — Nicki Brown, CNN Money, 27 July 2026 Witnesses speculated that the markings could be a sign she was strangled, raising concerns about possible foul play. — Clara Harter, Los Angeles Times, 24 July 2026 One of the women who alleged she was strangled also accused him of rape, whipping her with a belt and pointing a gun in her face. — Kim Hjelmgaard, USA Today, 22 July 2026 Surging tensions across the Middle East strangled shipping traffic, driving energy prices higher and raising the specter of accelerating inflation worldwide. — Tom Chivers, semafor.com, 21 July 2026 The Tarrant County medical examiner determined that Bruneau had been strangled during the midmorning. — Sarah Rumpf-Whitten, FOXNews.com, 17 July 2026
Recent Examples of Synonyms for strangled
  1. choked
  2. drowned
  3. stifled
  4. strained
  5. suffocated
  6. suppressed
  7. cracked
  8. smothered
Adjective
  • However, that deal fell apart after the US unleashed a fresh wave of attacks on Iran in mid-July, following Iranian strikes on vessels in the choked Strait of Hormuz.
    — Billy Stockwell, CNN Money, 24 July 2026
  • San Franciscans who think Muni buses are always packed, or prone to crawl along choked streets, may find their views validated in a new slide presentation released by the Municipal Transportation Agency.
    — Rachel Swan, San Francisco Chronicle, 6 Jan. 2026
Definition of choked
Verb
  • Crump has also rejected notions from law enforcement officials that Wells may have drowned, citing the teenager’s ability to swim well and his athletic past.
    — Rebecca Cohen, NBC news, 5 Aug. 2026
  • More than 80 migrants died, including some who drowned or were trampled in a stampede to cross a breakwater barrier, according to Spanish and Moroccan authorities.
    — ABC News, ABC News, 4 Aug. 2026
Definition of drowned
Verb
  • In the late 1800s however, the Chinese Exclusion Act stifled the thriving community, and other immigrant communities began to make their mark on Gilroy.
    — Luis Melecio-Zambrano, Mercury News, 31 July 2026
  • Corporate employees often have income growth that can be stifled or even capped.
    — Seth Lederman, Forbes.com, 28 July 2026
Definition of stifled
Adjective
  • Murphy, working with Ellis, has expanded the already-strained novel into a nine-episode drama that reaches no conclusion by its finale.
    — Daniel Fienberg, HollywoodReporter, 5 Aug. 2026
  • Elsewhere during the trip, Steven and Kacie finally repaired their strained relationship after months of tension.
    — Deirdre Durkan, PEOPLE, 4 Aug. 2026
Definition of strained
Verb
  • Spain has suffocated opponents and has allowed just one goal in the tournament.
    — Paul Tenorio, New York Times, 18 July 2026
  • Dalí almost suffocated in it, but his comrades came to the rescue.
    — Emily Watlington, ARTnews.com, 17 July 2026
Definition of suffocated
Verb
  • In July, the Ukrainian air force reported a Russian missile failure rate -- including munitions that were intercepted, suppressed or failed to reach their targets -- of around 58%.
    — David Brennan, ABC News, 3 Aug. 2026
  • The platinum-chromium pairs greatly suppressed both of these deactivation pathways, allowing the catalyst to remain active for longer.
    — Rupendra Brahambhatt, Interesting Engineering, 2 Aug. 2026
Definition of suppressed
Adjective
  • Use them to cover a cracked deck, upgrade a front porch, create a barefoot-friendly walkway around a hot tub or pool, or even define a dedicated grilling station that’s easy to sweep clean.
    — Better Homes & Gardens, Better Homes & Gardens, 31 July 2026
  • When to Contact a Wildlife Rehabilitator Always contact a wildlife rehabilitator if the turtle appears injured, such as having a cracked shell, or seems lethargic or sick.
    — Michelle Mastro, Martha Stewart, 29 June 2026
Definition of cracked
Verb
  • Dirty Dom distracted Fenix, opening up the door for McDonagh, who smothered Fenix in the corner.
    — Alfred Konuwa, Forbes.com, 31 July 2026
  • Hill’s movie, Outcome, had a dire one; Franco’s career was smothered by Time’s Up pressures.
    — Peter Bart, Deadline, 30 July 2026
Definition of smothered

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strangle
strangled
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Cite this Entry

“Strangled.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/strangled. Accessed 8 Aug. 2026.

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More from Merriam-Webster on strangled

Nglish: Translation of strangled for Spanish Speakers

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