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
Robb Report Studio, Robb Report, 9 Apr. 2025
Since the first phase of the ceasefire expired at the start of March with no agreement to prolong it, Israel has imposed a total blockade on all goods for Gaza's 2.3 million residents, recreating what international organisations call a humanitarian catastrophe.
—Nidal Al-Mughrabi and Mahmoud Issa, USA Today, 4 Apr. 2025
Yaakov Katz, Newsweek, 27 Nov. 2024
If China blockades or invades Taiwan, the short-term economic disruptions to the United States and its allies would be large enough to rival the losses caused by a broad decoupling.
—Stephen G. Brooks, Foreign Affairs, 20 Feb. 2025
See All Example Sentences for blockade
Noun
One of the most spectacular scuba spots is the Mary Celestia, a side-paddlewheel steamer that was a Confederate blockade runner before sinking in 1864.
—Robb Report Studio, Robb Report, 9 Apr. 2025
Since the first phase of the ceasefire expired at the start of March with no agreement to prolong it, Israel has imposed a total blockade on all goods for Gaza's 2.3 million residents, recreating what international organisations call a humanitarian catastrophe.
—Nidal Al-Mughrabi and Mahmoud Issa, USA Today, 4 Apr. 2025
Verb
If the People's Liberation Army Navy blockades Taiwan, the difficulty of providing Taipei with humanitarian assistance, let alone with weapons or soldiers, would range from painfully problematic to practically impossible.
—Yaakov Katz, Newsweek, 27 Nov. 2024
If China blockades or invades Taiwan, the short-term economic disruptions to the United States and its allies would be large enough to rival the losses caused by a broad decoupling.
—Stephen G. Brooks, Foreign Affairs, 20 Feb. 2025
See All Example Sentences for blockade
Recent Examples of Synonyms for blockade
Noun
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But the vampires’ descent on the juke joint ups the suspense and becomes genuinely scary, at first with the unsettling charm of their ancient leader, Remmick (Jack O’Connell, chilling), and eventually the brutal carnage of their siege.—
David Rooney,
HollywoodReporter,
10 Apr. 2025
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Human-rights groups are pushing back against a proposal by Haiti authorities to enlist members of a rogue force into the fight against a powerful gang alliance carrying out a deadly siege in three of the country’s 10 regional departments.—
Jacqueline Charles,
Miami Herald,
4 Apr. 2025
Verb
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The 23-year-old has guarded big men aplenty all season.—
Fred Katz,
New York Times,
11 Apr. 2025
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The Commanders could move Andrew Wylie or Brandon Coleman to guard.—
Ben Standig,
New York Times,
11 Apr. 2025
Verb
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At the start of the invasion, Russian troops besieged the city, forcing residents to endure harsh winter conditions without electricity or water under constant shelling from Russian artillery, missiles and drones.—
Illia Novikov,
Los Angeles Times,
9 Mar. 2025
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Consumers are besieged nearly every day about some news about Elon Musk’s latest moves at the Department of Government Efficiency to gain access to government records that contain sensitive personal data, including Social Security numbers.—
Susan Tompor,
USA TODAY,
1 Mar. 2025
Verb
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Korematsu was just 22 years old and working hard to expand his family’s flower nursery outside San Francisco when the Japanese attacked Pearl Harbor in 1941.—
Lauren Stienstra,
Time,
17 Apr. 2025
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Every American should reject the president's and his cronies' illegitimate use of government power to attack his enemies.—
Thomas G. Moukawsher,
MSNBC Newsweek,
17 Apr. 2025
Verb
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Uber has said the driver gave them a different version of events, saying the driver claimed the two riders fought in the back of his car and assaulted him at the end of the trip.—
Annabella Rosciglione,
The Washington Examiner,
14 Apr. 2025
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Warhorse bandmates drummer Tre Cool and bassist Mike Dirnt assaulted their instruments with their trademark goofiness and aggression, with three other touring members helping fill the massive venue with a legion of guitars and keys.—
Jeff Miller,
HollywoodReporter,
13 Apr. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Blockade.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/blockade. Accessed 22 Apr. 2025.
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