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
Kanis Leung, Los Angeles Times, 9 Feb. 2026
Prior to the oil blockade, the Caribbean island suffered from a withering economy due to its dwindling tourism business since the Covid-19 pandemic.
—Philip Wang, Time, 9 Feb. 2026
Andrew P. Miller, Foreign Affairs, 5 Dec. 2025
In recent weeks, JNIM has effectively blockaded Bamako, targeting critical fuel convoys and supply lines.
—Tom O'Connor, MSNBC Newsweek, 14 Nov. 2025
See All Example Sentences for blockade
Noun
During his 156-day trial, prosecutors accused him of conspiring with six former Apple Daily staffers, two activists and others to request foreign forces to impose sanctions or blockades or engage in other hostile activities against Hong Kong or China.
—Kanis Leung, Los Angeles Times, 9 Feb. 2026
Prior to the oil blockade, the Caribbean island suffered from a withering economy due to its dwindling tourism business since the Covid-19 pandemic.
—Philip Wang, Time, 9 Feb. 2026
Verb
At first, Israel blockaded Gaza entirely, against the United States’ wishes.
—Andrew P. Miller, Foreign Affairs, 5 Dec. 2025
In recent weeks, JNIM has effectively blockaded Bamako, targeting critical fuel convoys and supply lines.
—Tom O'Connor, MSNBC Newsweek, 14 Nov. 2025
See All Example Sentences for blockade
Recent Examples of Synonyms for blockade
Noun
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Last year, the group said that people in Darfur's major city of el-Fasher, overrun by the paramilitary forces after an 18-month siege, were enduring famine.—
Arkansas Online,
Arkansas Online,
6 Feb. 2026
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Alexseyev has had significant involvement in the war in Ukraine, serving as one of Russia’s negotiators in the secret talks with a member of the Ukrainian parliament to end Russia’s 2022 siege of the strategic city of Mariupol, Ukraine.—
Anna Chernova,
CNN Money,
6 Feb. 2026
Verb
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Even guard NaVorro Bowman, who scored 25 points, is using his strength to draw fouls and head to the free-throw line.—
Eric Sondheimer,
Los Angeles Times,
12 Feb. 2026
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Another veteran forward option that sounds decent on paper, between his ball-handling and play-making chops, his IQ and his reputation for being able to guard every frontcourt position.—
Bennett Durando,
Denver Post,
11 Feb. 2026
Verb
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The Adams administration was besieged with corruption at every level—the Blackness of the perpetrators was of no solace.—
Literary Hub,
Literary Hub,
5 Feb. 2026
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Meanwhile, Don Lemon also enjoyed a standing ovation and was besieged by people all night to express their gratitude and support after he was arrested and charged for an anti-ICE protest just two days before.—
Rob LeDonne,
Rolling Stone,
1 Feb. 2026
Verb
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Mobs attacked television vans and set cars ablaze as overrun hospitals struggled to cope with scores of injured people.—
Rhea Mogul,
CNN Money,
6 Feb. 2026
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The complication is not well understood but appears to be the result of the virus prompting the immune system to attack a certain protein that some brain cells produce.—
Meghan Bartels,
Scientific American,
5 Feb. 2026
Verb
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He was booked on charges related to assault with a deadly weapon, felony vandalism and probation violation.—
Los Angeles Times,
Los Angeles Times,
8 Feb. 2026
-
Three years after the incident involving Cordell, a prisoner claimed he was assaulted, choked and Tazed by Hadder while on day release for a family reunion at a Waffle House.—
Rob Picheta,
CNN Money,
7 Feb. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Blockade.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/blockade. Accessed 15 Feb. 2026.
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