Strangulate vs. Strangle — What's the Difference?
By Tayyaba Rehman & Urooj Arif — Updated on April 25, 2024
Strangulate involves constricting other essential functions, often medically, while strangle typically refers to compressing the neck to cut off air, usually in a violent context.
Difference Between Strangulate and Strangle
Table of Contents
ADVERTISEMENT
Key Differences
Strangulate generally refers to the act of constricting or compressing something in a way that stops the flow of essential functions, such as nutrients. This term is often used in medical or technical contexts. On the other hand, strangle is more commonly associated with the act of compressing someone's throat, affecting breathing or circulation, and is frequently used in the context of violence or assault.
The term strangulate can also be applied to mechanical or figurative situations, such as strangulating the flow of traffic or strangulating economic policies that severely restrict growth. Whereas, strangle is rarely used in a non-literal sense and typically implies direct physical aggression.
Strangulate can describe the effect of external pressure on objects, like pipes or tubes, which can impede their function. Strangle, on the other hand, is almost exclusively used to describe the act of squeezing the neck of a living being, such as a person or animal.
The usage of strangulate in everyday language is less common compared to strangle, which is more straightforward and understood in the context of physical violence or murder.
Comparison Chart
Definition
To constrict or compress, stopping essential functions
To compress the throat to obstruct breathing or circulation
ADVERTISEMENT
Usage Context
Often medical or technical
Typically violent or physical
Figurative Use
Common (e.g., policies, traffic)
Rare
Commonality in Language
Less common
More widely understood and used
Compare with Definitions
Strangulate
To choke or suffocate in a non-literal sense.
High taxes are strangulating the small businesses in the city.
Strangle
To dominate or control something to a point of suppression.
The large corporation is strangling the competition in the market.
Strangulate
To compress or squeeze something, impeding its normal function.
The tumor strangulated the tissue, causing severe pain.
Strangle
To choke someone by tightly gripping the throat.
The assailant attempted to strangle the victim during the robbery.
Strangulate
To severely restrict the efficiency or effectiveness of a system.
The new regulations could strangulate innovation in the industry.
Strangle
To stifle or suppress something.
The company's strict policies strangle innovation.
Strangulate
To block or stifle the development or expression of something.
The artist felt that the criticism had begun to strangulate her creativity.
Strangle
To hold or bind someone in a way that restricts freedom.
The oppressive government is strangling its citizens' freedoms.
Strangulate
In medicine, to cause constriction or obstruction in a tubular organ.
The hernia had begun to strangulate the intestine.
Strangle
To overwhelm or burden in a way that prevents normal functioning.
She felt strangled by her own schedule.
Strangulate
To strangle.
Strangle
To cut off the oxygen supply of; smother.
Strangulate
To be or become strangled, compressed, constricted, or obstructed.
Strangle
To suppress, repress, or stifle
Strangle a scream.
Strangulate
(medicine) To stop flow through a vessel.
Strangle
To inhibit the growth or action of; restrict
"That artist is strangled who is forced to deal with human beings solely in social terms" (James Baldwin).
Strangulate
To strangle.
Strangle
To become strangled.
Strangulate
Strangulated.
Strangle
To die from suffocation or strangulation; choke.
Strangulate
Become constricted;
The hernia will strangulate
Strangle
(transitive) To stifle or suppress.
She strangled a scream.
Strangle
(intransitive) To be stifled, choked, or suffocated in any manner.
Strangle
(finance) A trading strategy using options, constructed through taking equal positions in a put and a call with different strike prices, such that there is a payoff if the underlying asset's value moves beyond the range of the two strike prices.
Strangle
To stifle, choke, or suffocate in any manner.
Shall I not then be stifled in the vault, . . . And there die strangled ere my Romeo comes?
Strangle
To hinder from appearance; to stifle; to suppress.
Strangle
To be strangled, or suffocated.
Strangle
Conceal or hide;
Smother a yawn
Muffle one's anger
Strangle a yawn
Strangle
Die from strangulation
Strangle
Prevent the progress or free movement of;
He was hampered in his efforts by the bad weather
The imperilist nation wanted to strangle the free trade between the two small countries
Strangle
Constrict (someone's) throat and keep from breathing
Strangle
Struggle for breath; have insufficient oxygen intake;
He swallowed a fishbone and gagged
Common Curiosities
Can the term strangulate be used to describe economic conditions?
Yes, strangulate can describe economic conditions where growth is severely restricted or stifled, similar to how it describes physical constrictions.
How do the legal implications of strangulate and strangle differ?
Legal discussions typically involve strangle in the context of assault or murder, while strangulate is rarely used, unless detailing specific medical conditions or mechanical failures.
Is it correct to use strangulate when referring to emotional suppression?
It's less common but possible, especially in a figurative sense, to describe situations where feelings or expressions are severely restricted or stifled.
What does it mean when someone says a market is being strangled?
It implies that external controls or competition are severely restricting market growth or freedom.
Are there instances where strangulate and strangle could mean the same thing?
In the context of severe constriction, especially medically, both can sometimes be used interchangeably, though it's rare outside of medical discussions.
What is the primary context for using strangulate?
Strangulate is primarily used in medical or technical contexts to describe the constriction of organs or pathways.
How do the implications of strangulate and strangle differ in severity?
Strangulate often carries a clinical or mechanical implication, potentially severe but not inherently violent, whereas strangle typically implies a violent, life-threatening action.
Is strangulate used to describe actions towards individuals?
Rarely in everyday language; it's mostly used in medical descriptions or mechanical scenarios.
Can strangle be used metaphorically, and if so, how?
Yes, strangle can be used metaphorically to describe situations where policies, practices, or circumstances severely limit freedom, creativity, or functionality.
What is a common misunderstanding about the use of strangulate?
A common misunderstanding is that strangulate involves direct, intentional violence against another person, when it actually refers more to a medical or mechanical condition.
Are strangulate and strangle interchangeable in medical terminology?
Not exactly; strangulate often refers to internal constrictions within the body, while strangle refers to external compression, particularly around the neck.
Can strangle be used in a non-violent context?
Yes, but it's less common and usually refers to suppressing or stifling actions or policies.
Share Your Discovery
Previous Comparison
Empire vs. Dominion
Next Comparison
Capstone vs. CornerstoneAuthor Spotlight
Written by
Tayyaba RehmanTayyaba Rehman is a distinguished writer, currently serving as a primary contributor to askdifference.com. As a researcher in semantics and etymology, Tayyaba's passion for the complexity of languages and their distinctions has found a perfect home on the platform. Tayyaba delves into the intricacies of language, distinguishing between commonly confused words and phrases, thereby providing clarity for readers worldwide.
Co-written by
Urooj ArifUrooj is a skilled content writer at Ask Difference, known for her exceptional ability to simplify complex topics into engaging and informative content. With a passion for research and a flair for clear, concise writing, she consistently delivers articles that resonate with our diverse audience.
