strangle
MediumNeutral to formal
Definition
Meaning
To kill someone by compressing their throat to prevent breathing.
To suppress or hinder something, such as an emotion, idea, or development.
Linguistics
Semantic Notes
Typically implies intentional, violent action; can be used metaphorically with negative connotations.
Dialectal Variation
British vs American Usage
Differences
No major differences in meaning; slight pronunciation variations exist.
Connotations
Consistently negative, associated with violence or oppression in both variants.
Frequency
Equally common in British and American English.
Vocabulary
Collocations
Grammar
Valency Patterns
transitive: strangle + objectstrangle + object + with + noun phraseVocabulary
Synonyms
Strong
Neutral
Weak
Vocabulary
Antonyms
Phrases
Idioms & Phrases
- “stranglehold”
- “strangle the life out of something”
Usage
Context Usage
Business
Metaphorical use, e.g., 'regulations that strangle growth'.
Academic
Found in literary, historical, or criminological texts.
Everyday
Common in news reports or dramatic narratives.
Technical
Used in medical or forensic descriptions.
Examples
By Part of Speech
verb
British English
- The detective found evidence that the culprit strangled the witness.
American English
- She strangled the weeds in her garden to save the flowers.
adverb
British English
- She cried out stranglingly, her voice tight with fear.
American English
- He laughed stranglingly, overcome with emotion.
adjective
British English
- He gave a strangled gasp when he saw the surprise.
American English
- A strangled silence fell over the courtroom.
Examples
By CEFR Level
- The lion strangled its prey quickly.
- He was arrested for attempting to strangle a colleague.
- High taxes can strangle economic development in small towns.
- The regime's policies are designed to strangle any form of political opposition.
Learning
Memory Aids
Mnemonic
Imagine a 'strong angle' around the neck, squeezing tightly.
Conceptual Metaphor
Oppression as physical strangulation, e.g., 'strangling creativity'.
Watch out
Common Pitfalls
Translation Traps (for Russian speakers)
- Direct translation to 'душить' may oversimplify; 'strangle' implies more violence.
- Avoid using in casual contexts due to its severe connotation.
Common Mistakes
- Using 'strangle' for accidental choking; it usually denotes intent.
- Confusing with 'throttle' which can refer to mechanical restriction.
Practice
Quiz
In metaphorical use, what does 'strangle' typically mean?
FAQ
Frequently Asked Questions
No, it can also be used metaphorically to describe suppressing non-physical things, like ideas or emotions.
In British English, it is pronounced /ˈstræŋɡl/, with a clear 'g' sound.
Yes, it is often used in legal or criminal contexts to describe a method of homicide.
'Strangle' specifically involves throat compression, while 'suffocate' refers to preventing air intake in various ways, such as by smothering.