1
as in guarding
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
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Antonyms & Near Antonyms
2
as in besieging
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 blockading
The blockading country's navy must essentially pull over ships, like a traffic cop at sea.
—
Scott Neuman, NPR, 16 Apr. 2026
Since the Ayatollah was killed, Iran has gained leverage over the United States and Israel by blockading the Strait of Hormuz and torpedoing the global economy.
—Sudarsan Raghavan, New Yorker, 16 Apr. 2026
Trump is blockading Iranian ports in the Persian Gulf.
—Anniek Bao, CNBC, 14 Apr. 2026
That’s not through blockading a drop of oil from reaching an island through bombing the economic infrastructure of the island, and through maximalist foreign policy pressures threatening military intervention.
—NBC news, 12 Apr. 2026
Wasn’t Israel already blockading Gaza?
—Chicago Tribune, 27 Mar. 2026
Administration officials refused to rule out occupying or blockading Iran's Kharg Island, which handles about 90% of Iran’s oil exports.
—George Petras, USA Today, 25 Mar. 2026
Tehran has been effectively blockading the Strait of Hormuz, a vital waterway through which a fifth of global oil supply flows, since the start of US-Israeli attacks on Iran.
—Helen Regan, CNN Money, 23 Mar. 2026
Experts say blockading Iran’s oil exports is an option that would open the strait faster.
—Diane Brady, Fortune, 23 Mar. 2026
Scott Neuman, NPR, 16 Apr. 2026
Since the Ayatollah was killed, Iran has gained leverage over the United States and Israel by blockading the Strait of Hormuz and torpedoing the global economy.
—Sudarsan Raghavan, New Yorker, 16 Apr. 2026
Trump is blockading Iranian ports in the Persian Gulf.
—Anniek Bao, CNBC, 14 Apr. 2026
That’s not through blockading a drop of oil from reaching an island through bombing the economic infrastructure of the island, and through maximalist foreign policy pressures threatening military intervention.
—NBC news, 12 Apr. 2026
Wasn’t Israel already blockading Gaza?
—Chicago Tribune, 27 Mar. 2026
Administration officials refused to rule out occupying or blockading Iran's Kharg Island, which handles about 90% of Iran’s oil exports.
—George Petras, USA Today, 25 Mar. 2026
Tehran has been effectively blockading the Strait of Hormuz, a vital waterway through which a fifth of global oil supply flows, since the start of US-Israeli attacks on Iran.
—Helen Regan, CNN Money, 23 Mar. 2026
Experts say blockading Iran’s oil exports is an option that would open the strait faster.
—Diane Brady, Fortune, 23 Mar. 2026
Recent Examples of Synonyms for blockading
Verb
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Bartholomew was shot and killed inside Endeavor Health Swedish Hospital Saturday morning while guarding someone in custody.—
Caroline Kubzansky,
Chicago Tribune,
30 Apr. 2026
-
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
Verb
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Israel tried to take over Gaza City before in this war, besieging it and launching raids in its streets, but tens of thousands of people remained.—
Aya Batrawy,
NPR,
5 Sep. 2025
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And while politicians know that there are costs to besieging an independent central bank – financial markets may react negatively or inflation may flare up – short-term control of a powerful policy tool can prove irresistible.—
Ana Carolina Garriga,
The Conversation,
26 Aug. 2025
Verb
-
Winger Xavi Simons’ anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) knee injury will keep him out for some time, with striker Dominic Solanke also pulling up — albeit his ailment appears less serious — at Molineux to cast doubt over Spurs’ attacking firepower in the upcoming weeks.—
Mark Carey,
New York Times,
30 Apr. 2026
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He was also found guilty of two counts of assault for attacking two other men with butcher knives.—
KC Baker,
PEOPLE,
30 Apr. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Blockading.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/blockading. Accessed 1 May. 2026.
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