stranglehold

[ strang-guhl-hohld ]

noun

1. Wrestling. an illegal hold by which an opponent's breath is choked off.
2. a restraining hold in which one person uses an arm to encircle the neck of another; a chokehold.
3. 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.

stranglehold

/ ˈstræŋɡəlˌhəʊld /

noun

1. a wrestling hold in which a wrestler's arms are pressed against his opponent's windpipe See also Japanese stranglehold
2. complete power or control over a person or situation

Word History and Origins

Origin of stranglehold¹

First recorded in 1890–95; strangle + hold ¹

Example Sentences

Breaking Trump’s stranglehold on the Republican Party is worth enduring a conventionally bad Democratic president for four years.

From Los Angeles Times

But Congress was in the “grip of a stranglehold by the executive branch,” defense attorney Charles Nesson told the judge, adding: “There was no way other than the one defendants chose.”

From Los Angeles Times

This is why this space has repeatedly called for James to be traded — so they can end his stifling stranglehold on the organization and let them breathe again, rebuild again, win again.

From Los Angeles Times

But in a sign that TikTok's stranglehold on the music industry may be waning, the song only got to number 66 in the UK charts, and 61 in the US.

From BBC

He pleaded guilty and was sent to serve four years at Centinela, where, with a contraband cell phone, he maintained a stranglehold over Blythe Street, witnesses testified.

From Los Angeles Times

Related Words

• grip
• monopoly