stranglehold
noun
stran·gle·hold ˈstraŋ-gəl-ˌhōld 
1
: an illegal wrestling hold by which one's opponent is choked
2
: a force or influence that stops something from growing or developing
… opened three stores within a year and got a stranglehold on market share.—
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Examples of stranglehold in a Sentence
Recent Examples on the Web
The second is to open the strait by eliminating Iran’s stranglehold on it. —Garrett Downs, CNBC, 13 Apr. 2026 In reality, Iran now has a stranglehold over global oil flows, one that did not exist before the war, and Gulf energy exporters are as a result considering options to bypass Tehran’s grip. —Amena Bakr, semafor.com, 13 Apr. 2026 According to the media freedom lobbying group Reporters Without Borders, Orbán supporters control 80% of the country’s media through organization like KESMA, which has a stranglehold on private television, and MTVA, which controls the public broadcasting network. —Leo Barraclough, Variety, 13 Apr. 2026 The Oilers had a stranglehold on the final frame, tilting the ice completely – but not scoring on Forsberg – until captain Connor McDavid took a penalty. —Andrew Knoll, Daily News, 11 Apr. 2026 See All Example Sentences for stranglehold
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.
Garrett Downs, CNBC, 13 Apr. 2026 In reality, Iran now has a stranglehold over global oil flows, one that did not exist before the war, and Gulf energy exporters are as a result considering options to bypass Tehran’s grip. —Amena Bakr, semafor.com, 13 Apr. 2026 According to the media freedom lobbying group Reporters Without Borders, Orbán supporters control 80% of the country’s media through organization like KESMA, which has a stranglehold on private television, and MTVA, which controls the public broadcasting network. —Leo Barraclough, Variety, 13 Apr. 2026 The Oilers had a stranglehold on the final frame, tilting the ice completely – but not scoring on Forsberg – until captain Connor McDavid took a penalty. —Andrew Knoll, Daily News, 11 Apr. 2026 See All Example Sentences for stranglehold
Cite this Entry
“Stranglehold.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.grautoblog.com/dictionary/stranglehold. Accessed 25 Apr. 2026.
Copy CitationKids Definition
stranglehold
noun
stran·gle·hold ˈstraŋ-gəl-ˌhōld
1
: an illegal wrestling hold by which one's opponent is choked
2
: a force or influence that chokes or blocks freedom of development or expression
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