stranglehold — English Dictionary

Noun

1. A grip or control so strong as to stifle or cut off.

   Synonyms

   chokeholdthrottlehold

   Examples

   For years the company had a stranglehold on the rest of the industry.

   More examples (1)

   Numerous witnesses had come forward at that time to state that they had watched Kelly tackle Symaco and pin her on the floor in a strangle-hold until investigating officers arrived to pry him loose.

   That record felt like ancient history as the Djokovic of 2011 overcame a slightly edgy start to take a stranglehold on the match.

Verb

1. To hold a tight grip or control.

   Usage

   • Transitive

   Synonyms

   claspgraspgrip

   Examples

   "She does not hold a partner; she strangleholds him. As soon as a man realizes how tightly she holds on, he leaves her."

Noun

1. complete power over a person or situation

   Synonyms

   chokeholdthrottlehold

   Broader terms

   powerpowerfulness

   Examples

   corporations have a stranglehold on the media

   the president applied a chokehold to labor disputes that inconvenienced the public

2. a wrestling hold in which the arms are pressed against the opponent's windpipe

   Broader terms

   wrestling hold