stranglehold
Americannoun
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Wrestling. an illegal hold by which an opponent's breath is choked off.
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a restraining hold in which one person uses an arm to encircle the neck of another; a chokehold.
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any force or influence that restricts the free actions or development of a person or thing; a stifling grip.
to break the stranglehold of superstition.
noun
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a wrestling hold in which a wrestler's arms are pressed against his opponent's windpipe See also Japanese stranglehold
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complete power or control over a person or situation
Etymology
Origin of stranglehold
Explanation
In wrestling, a stranglehold is a strong grip around an opponent's neck. Figuratively, you have a stranglehold on something (or someone) when you have complete control over it. The powerful hold that's also known as a chokehold is used in various martial arts, as well as police and military training. A true stranglehold does just what its name describes, constricting a person's breathing. Even if someone doesn't literally have you by the neck, you might feel a stranglehold being exerted by things like stress, deadlines, or debt.
Vocabulary lists containing stranglehold
Chew On This
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Compound Fracture
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Example Sentences
Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.
More recently, China has shown that it, too, wields potent leverage over other countries—including the U.S.—through its stranglehold on critical minerals essential for manufacturing everything from semiconductors to jet engines.
From The Wall Street Journal • Jun. 7, 2026
The purpose of the Bradley coalition, Sonenshein said, was to “break open the stranglehold of a city establishment that was ... unresponsive to the diversity of the community.”
From Los Angeles Times • May 31, 2026
Under former manager Emma Hayes, she was the star player in the team, and built a formidable partnership with playmaker Kirby during Chelsea's six-year stranglehold of the WSL.
From BBC • May 14, 2026
India, Japan and France are also working hard to unlock China's stranglehold on the industry.
From Barron's • May 13, 2026
Still in the stranglehold of sleep, my mind struggled to make sense of it.
From "Flying Through Water" by Mamle Wolo
Definitions and idiom definitions from Dictionary.com Unabridged, based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023
Idioms from The American Heritage® Idioms Dictionary copyright © 2002, 2001, 1995 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company.
