to kill by squeezing the throat in order to compress the windpipe and prevent the intake of air, as with the hands or a tightly drawn cord.

to kill by stopping the breath in any manner; choke; stifle; suffocate.

to prevent the continuance, growth, rise, or action of; suppress

Censorship strangles a free press.

to be choked, stifled, or suffocated.

verb

free , let go , loose

verb

asphyxiate , gag , garrote/garrotte , inhibit , kill , muffle , quelch , repress , restrain , shush , smother , squelch , strangulate , subdue , suffocate , suppress , throttlenotes:strangle implies a focus on the result of this process , whereas strangulate focuses on the process itself , throttle , burke , choke , hold back , hold down , hush , quench , stifle , garrote , garrotte , quell , restrict