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
Micah McCartney, MSNBC Newsweek, 23 June 2025
In each case, the threat alone was enough to shake global energy markets, even without an actual blockade.
—Robert Rapier, Forbes.com, 22 June 2025
Ashley Strickland, CNN Money, 17 May 2025
There have also been disputes between the U.S., Israel and Arab nations over how to administer humanitarian aid blockaded by Israel to Palestinians in Gaza.
—Benjamin Siegel, ABC News, 12 May 2025
See All Example Sentences for blockade
Noun
This challenge has been met with Chinese blockades at disputed features and increasingly forceful measures, raising concerns that a miscalculation could trigger Manila's Mutual Defense Treaty with Washington and draw the United States into a conflict with China.
—Micah McCartney, MSNBC Newsweek, 23 June 2025
In each case, the threat alone was enough to shake global energy markets, even without an actual blockade.
—Robert Rapier, Forbes.com, 22 June 2025
Verb
Small fragments of volcanic debris probably fell like rain through the opening during the first phases of the eruption, causing the four people inside the home to rush to the bedroom and blockade it with a bed to protect themselves.
—Ashley Strickland, CNN Money, 17 May 2025
There have also been disputes between the U.S., Israel and Arab nations over how to administer humanitarian aid blockaded by Israel to Palestinians in Gaza.
—Benjamin Siegel, ABC News, 12 May 2025
See All Example Sentences for blockade
Recent Examples of Synonyms for blockade
Noun
-
Kentucky Symphony Orchestra: Back in the USSR The KSO recalls the siege of Leningrad, where Dmitri Shostakovick’s wartime Symphony No. 7 was premiered.—
Luann Gibbs,
The Enquirer,
2 July 2025
-
The footage, taken in late December and verified by NBC News, is the last time the director of the Kamal Adwan Hospital in northern Gaza was seen before he was taken into custody by Israeli soldiers laying siege to the complex.—
Chantal Da Silva,
NBC news,
30 June 2025
Verb
-
During a recent interview in Rolling Stone, Murph was guarded but self-reflective.—
Jonathan Bernstein,
Rolling Stone,
14 July 2025
-
In the first quarter, Clark was being guarded closely and well out from beyond the 3-point line.—
Ryan Gaydos,
FOXNews.com,
14 July 2025
Verb
-
Mamdani would now have an advantage as the Democratic candidate for mayor in an overwhelmingly Democratic city, in which many feel besieged by President Donald Trump’s aggressive crackdown on undocumented immigrants, his assault on Columbia University, and proposed cuts to social welfare programs.—
Eduardo Cuevas,
USA Today,
26 June 2025
-
Los Angeles County’s looming agreement with its biggest labor union is expected to cost a little more than $2 billion over three years — the latest hit to a budget besieged by financial woes.—
Rebecca Ellis,
Los Angeles Times,
24 June 2025
Verb
-
The main target of the attack was Kyiv and the surrounding region, with Chernihiv, Sumy, Poltava, Kirovohrad and Kharkiv regions also attacked, the president said.—
David Brennan,
ABC News,
10 July 2025
-
Making homes more energy efficient is also a way to reduce carbon emissions, and thus attack the cause of more frequent and severe heat waves.—
Marianne Krasny,
Forbes.com,
10 July 2025
Verb
-
McLaughlin, in a statement to NBC News, said the man had assaulted and verbally harassed a federal agent which led to his arrest.—
Chad de Guzman,
Time,
8 July 2025
-
At times, the boy was restrained and choked and assaulted in his dorm room bed.—
Richard Winton
Follow,
Los Angeles Times,
8 July 2025
Cite this Entry
“Blockade.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/blockade. Accessed 19 Jul. 2025.
Copy CitationLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
Share