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
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to
show current usage.
Read More
Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors.
Send us feedback.
Recent Examples of blockade
Diaa Ostaz, ABC News, 16 Apr. 2025
The chain is formed by three island blockades seeking to restrict Russian and Chinese military access to the Pacific Ocean with America's allied and friendly territories.
—Arick Wierson, MSNBC Newsweek, 16 Apr. 2025
Edward Fishman, The Atlantic, 24 Feb. 2025
Several of them were convicted of blockading a reproductive health clinic and intimidating staff and patients.
—Hannah Parry, Newsweek, 24 Jan. 2025
See All Example Sentences for blockade
Noun
Aid organizations raise alarm International aid organizations are also raising alarm over the humanitarian toll of the blockade.
—Diaa Ostaz, ABC News, 16 Apr. 2025
The chain is formed by three island blockades seeking to restrict Russian and Chinese military access to the Pacific Ocean with America's allied and friendly territories.
—Arick Wierson, MSNBC Newsweek, 16 Apr. 2025
Verb
For most of history, imposing serious economic pressure required the deployment of military forces: ships blockading ports, armies laying siege to cities.
—Edward Fishman, The Atlantic, 24 Feb. 2025
Several of them were convicted of blockading a reproductive health clinic and intimidating staff and patients.
—Hannah Parry, Newsweek, 24 Jan. 2025
See All Example Sentences for blockade
Recent Examples of Synonyms for blockade
Noun
-
This brings me back to the siege of Jackson, which happens at the same time as Abby’s smug speechifying and Joel-torturing up at the lodge.—
Noel Murray,
New York Times,
21 Apr. 2025
-
In particular, McVeigh was seeking revenge against the government for the 1993 Waco siege, as well as the 1992 Ruby Ridge incident.—
Lissete Lanuza Sáenz,
StyleCaster,
18 Apr. 2025
Verb
-
Specifically, the Swiss Guard accompanies the pope to public appearances, guards Vatican City and protects the College of Cardinals during a conclave (the election of a new pope), according to The Holy See.—
Greta Cross,
USA Today,
23 Apr. 2025
-
Wolves guard Mike Conley recently lauded his team’s ability to meet any challenge.—
Jace Frederick,
Twin Cities,
22 Apr. 2025
Verb
-
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,
18 Apr. 2025
-
The attack prompted many Americans to vent their dislike of the nation’s for-profit health system, and made Mr. Mangione a visible foil for an administration that says radicals are besieging the nation.—
Hurubie Meko,
New York Times,
10 Apr. 2025
Verb
-
According to Haynes, Lillard is motivated to attack his rehab and return to form.—
Mohammed Soliman,
MSNBC Newsweek,
29 Apr. 2025
-
The account commonly attacks news publications and posts comments criticizing reporting about Hegseth and the Defense Department.—
Eleanor Watson,
CBS News,
29 Apr. 2025
Verb
-
According to the Wayne County Prosecutor's Office, Brittany Walker and Samuel Payton allegedly assaulted the victim, a 44-year-old man who uses a wheelchair, in a Detroit apartment on Jan. 29, FOX 2 Detroit reported.—
Bailey Richards,
People.com,
28 Apr. 2025
-
After speaking to witnesses and reviewing video surveillance, investigators found that three men allegedly assaulted the cab driver and stole his personal belongings after refusing to pay their fare, Podgorski said.—
Justin Muszynski,
Hartford Courant,
26 Apr. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Blockade.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/blockade. Accessed 3 May. 2025.
Copy CitationLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
Share