as in siege
the cutting off of an area by military means to stop the flow of people or supplies
it was the blockade of all the enemy's major ports that finally won the war
Synonyms & Similar Words
Relevance
1
as in to guard
to disallow entry into (a place) by means of a physical barrier at the entry point
the militant protestors blockaded the whole area around city hall
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
2
as in to besiege
to surround (as a fortified place) with armed forces for the purpose of capturing or preventing commerce and communication
blockaded the city until it surrendered
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
Example Sentences
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Recent Examples of blockade
Isaac Chotiner, New Yorker, 27 Apr. 2026
But a complete blockade is difficult; around half of Iran’s non-oil trade goes overland or through Caspian Sea ports, according to Esfandyar Batmanghelidj, an economic expert.
—ABC News, 27 Apr. 2026
Ryan Mancini, The Hill, 18 Apr. 2026
In recent months, the administration has blockaded Cuba’s oil supply at a time the island is undergoing a profound humanitarian crisis.
—Syra Ortiz Blanes, Miami Herald, 17 Apr. 2026
See All Example Sentences for blockade
Noun
The double blockade actually creates a pretty tenuous situation because every interdiction, every warning shot, every seizure of vessels, could become a trigger for a wider relapse into conflict.
—Isaac Chotiner, New Yorker, 27 Apr. 2026
But a complete blockade is difficult; around half of Iran’s non-oil trade goes overland or through Caspian Sea ports, according to Esfandyar Batmanghelidj, an economic expert.
—ABC News, 27 Apr. 2026
Verb
Trump said Iran can’t blockade the Strait of Hormuz.
—Ryan Mancini, The Hill, 18 Apr. 2026
In recent months, the administration has blockaded Cuba’s oil supply at a time the island is undergoing a profound humanitarian crisis.
—Syra Ortiz Blanes, Miami Herald, 17 Apr. 2026
See All Example Sentences for blockade
Recent Examples of Synonyms for blockade
Noun
-
Upon examination, the team revealed a sheet of papyrus inside the mummy’s abdomen that contained text from the Iliad, the ancient Greek poet Homer’s epic account of the siege of Troy.—
Adam Kovac,
Scientific American,
23 Apr. 2026
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Lebanese government officials, including President Joseph Aoun, and press freedom campaigners urged Israel to lift the siege.—
Charbel Mallo,
CNN Money,
22 Apr. 2026
Verb
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Anunoby began the series primarily guarding 6-10 center Onyeka Okongwu, a shooting threat who thrives at the pick-and-pop.—
Peter Sblendorio,
New York Daily News,
29 Apr. 2026
-
Lakers guard Jerry West hits a 60-foot desperation shot at the buzzer to tie Game 3 of the NBA Finals against the New York Knicks.—
Assistant Sports Editor,
Los Angeles Times,
29 Apr. 2026
Verb
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In a similar vein, the Business section featured an article on our inequitable national tax structure, which enables the wealthy to grow their wealth while most people, besieged by income taxes and rising property taxes, struggle.—
DP Opinion,
Denver Post,
10 Apr. 2026
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Early on, the Biden team had been besieged with desperate pleas to ship more of the then scarce vaccine.—
David Blumenthal,
STAT,
24 Mar. 2026
Verb
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Democrats have attacked these anti-fraud policies as an effort to undermine safety net programs for the impoverished.—
Editorial,
Boston Herald,
30 Apr. 2026
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The latest war erupted on March 2, when, after holding its fire since a 2024 truce, Hezbollah launched a surprise barrage of missiles into northern Israel in retaliation for the United States and Israel attacking Iran.—
ABC News,
ABC News,
30 Apr. 2026
Verb
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Karzoun was assaulted near a shopping area on North Eagleville Road in the early morning hours after the large party was broken up at Carriage House by Connecticut State Police and the UConn Police Department.—
Justin Muszynski,
Hartford Courant,
26 Apr. 2026
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Allen is facing federal charges including assaulting a federal officer and using a firearm during a crime of violence, with additional charges possible.—
Ashley Hume,
FOXNews.com,
26 Apr. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Blockade.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/blockade. Accessed 2 May. 2026.
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