noun a grip or control that is so tight it chokes or suffocates
verb to grip or control tightly to the point of choking or suffocating
The enemy forces had a stranglehold on the strategic location, preventing any reinforcements from reaching the area.
The incumbent candidate maintained a stranglehold on power, making it difficult for any challengers to succeed.
The company has a stranglehold on the market, controlling over 80% of the industry.
The team's star player had a stranglehold on the game, scoring multiple goals and leading their team to victory.
The high tariffs imposed by the government created a stranglehold on the economy, leading to a decrease in trade.
In a literary context, 'stranglehold' can be used to describe a writer's grip on the reader's attention or emotions, as in 'The author had a stranglehold on the reader with her gripping storytelling.'
A psychologist may use 'stranglehold' to describe a patient's overwhelming feelings of being trapped or controlled by a situation or emotion, as in 'The patient felt like anxiety had a stranglehold on their life.'
A business analyst might use 'stranglehold' to refer to a company's dominant position in the market, as in 'The company has a stranglehold on the industry, making it difficult for competitors to gain market share.'
A politician may use 'stranglehold' to describe a rival party's control over a certain region or demographic, as in 'The opposition party has a stranglehold on urban voters in this district.'
An athlete could use 'stranglehold' to describe their opponent's tight control over a game or match, as in 'The defending champions had a stranglehold on the game from start to finish.'