Strangulate vs Strangle: When And How Can You Use Each One?

Have you ever found yourself confused about the difference between the words “strangulate” and “strangle”? While these two words may seem interchangeable, they actually have distinct meanings. In this article, we will explore the definitions of both words and when it is appropriate to use each one.

It is important to note that both “strangulate” and “strangle” refer to the act of restricting someone or something’s air supply, ultimately leading to asphyxiation. However, “strangulate” is the more technical term of the two and is often used in medical contexts. It specifically refers to the constriction or compression of a person’s neck, which can lead to damage of the airway and blood vessels. On the other hand, “strangle” is a more general term that can refer to the act of restricting someone or something’s air supply in any way, such as by choking or suffocating.

With this in mind, it is important to use the correct term depending on the context. In medical situations, it is appropriate to use “strangulate” to refer to the specific act of constricting someone’s neck. In other situations, such as describing a murder in a crime novel, “strangle” may be the more appropriate term to use.

Now that we have established the difference between these two words, let’s dive deeper into the nuances of their meanings and usage.

Define Strangulate

Strangulate refers to the act of constricting or compressing a body part or organ, particularly a blood vessel or intestine, to the point where the blood flow or passage of contents is obstructed. This can lead to tissue damage, organ dysfunction, or even death if left untreated.

Examples of conditions that can cause strangulation include:

• Hernias, where a portion of the intestine protrudes through a weak spot in the abdominal wall and becomes trapped
• Intussusception, where one portion of the intestine telescopes into another portion and gets stuck
• Volvulus, where a portion of the intestine twists on itself, cutting off its own blood supply

Emergency medical attention is needed if strangulation is suspected, as it can quickly become life-threatening.

Define Strangle

Strangle refers to the act of applying pressure to the neck, typically with the hands or a ligature, in order to cut off the air supply or blood flow to the brain. This can lead to unconsciousness, brain damage, or death if not released in time.

Strangulation can be intentional, such as in cases of homicide or suicide, or accidental, such as in cases of autoerotic asphyxiation or strangulation by clothing or jewelry.

Signs and symptoms of strangulation may include:

• Difficulty breathing or swallowing
• Hoarseness or loss of voice
• Neck pain or stiffness
• Headache or dizziness
• Nausea or vomiting
• Confusion or disorientation

Immediate medical attention is needed if strangulation is suspected, as it can cause serious injury or death.

How To Properly Use The Words In A Sentence

In order to effectively communicate and convey your message, it’s important to use the correct word in the right context. While “strangulate” and “strangle” may seem interchangeable, there are subtle differences in their meanings that can affect the tone and clarity of your writing. Here’s a guide on how to properly use these words in a sentence:

How To Use “Strangulate” In A Sentence

“Strangulate” is a verb that means to restrict or cut off the flow of something, typically referring to a physical object or process. Here are some examples of how to use it in a sentence:

• The tight bandage was beginning to strangulate the injured limb.
• The company’s financial policies were strangulating its growth potential.
• The government’s regulations were strangulating the small business owner’s ability to operate.

As you can see, “strangulate” is often used in a metaphorical sense to describe a situation where something is being constricted or hindered in some way.

How To Use “Strangle” In A Sentence

“Strangle” is also a verb that means to choke or suffocate someone or something. Here are some examples of how to use it in a sentence:

• The murderer used a rope to strangle his victim.
• The python slowly began to strangle its prey.
• The tight collar was starting to strangle the dog.

As you can see, “strangle” is typically used in a more literal sense to describe a physical act of choking or suffocating.

Overall, it’s important to understand the nuances of these words in order to use them correctly in your writing. By using “strangulate” to describe a metaphorical constriction and “strangle” to describe a physical act of choking, you can ensure that your writing is clear and effective.

More Examples Of Strangulate & Strangle Used In Sentences

In order to better understand the proper usage of the words “strangulate” and “strangle,” it can be helpful to examine examples of these words used in sentences. Below are several examples of each word used in context.

Examples Of Using Strangulate In A Sentence

• The company’s decision to cut funding has the potential to strangulate the research department.
• The tight regulations have strangulated the growth of small businesses in the area.
• The snake’s venom can cause the victim’s airway to strangulate, leading to suffocation.
• The dictator’s policies were designed to strangulate dissent and maintain his grip on power.
• The athlete’s injury caused his muscles to strangulate his nerves, resulting in numbness and weakness.
• The economic sanctions have been effective in strangulating the country’s oil exports.
• The constrictor snake uses its powerful muscles to strangulate its prey.
• The tumor had grown so large that it was beginning to strangulate the surrounding organs.
• The lack of funding has strangulated the school’s ability to provide necessary resources for its students.
• The police officer used a chokehold to strangulate the suspect and force him to comply.

Examples Of Using Strangle In A Sentence

• The murderer used a rope to strangle his victim.
• The vines had grown so thick that they began to strangle the tree.
• The boxer was able to strangle his opponent and win the match.
• The python wrapped itself around the prey’s neck and began to strangle it.
• The company’s debt had strangled its ability to invest in new projects.
• The weeds had strangled the garden, making it difficult for any plants to grow.
• The political scandal threatened to strangle the candidate’s chances of winning the election.
• The economic downturn had strangled the country’s manufacturing sector.
• The constrictor snake uses its powerful muscles to strangle its prey.
• The victim’s hands were tied behind his back, making it impossible for him to defend himself as his attacker tried to strangle him.

Common Mistakes To Avoid

When it comes to using the words “strangulate” and “strangle,” people often make the mistake of using them interchangeably. However, these two words have distinct meanings and should not be used in place of one another. Here are some common mistakes to avoid:

Mistake #1: Using “Strangulate” And “Strangle” Interchangeably

While “strangulate” and “strangle” are often used interchangeably, they actually have different meanings. “Strangulate” refers specifically to the act of cutting off someone or something’s air supply by compressing the neck or throat, while “strangle” refers more broadly to the act of choking or suffocating someone or something.

For example, you might say that a person was “strangled to death” if they were suffocated with a pillow, but you would not say that they were “strangulated to death.” Similarly, you might say that a python “strangled” its prey, but you would not say that it “strangulated” its prey.

Mistake #2: Using “Strangulate” To Refer To Non-living Things

Another common mistake is using “strangulate” to refer to non-living things. “Strangulate” specifically refers to cutting off someone or something’s air supply, so it should only be used in reference to living things. For example, you might say that a person was “strangulated by a rope,” but you would not say that a hose was “strangulated.”

Tips To Avoid These Mistakes

To avoid making these mistakes in the future, it’s important to understand the distinct meanings of “strangulate” and “strangle.” Here are some tips:

• Use “strangle” to refer to choking or suffocating someone or something.
• Use “strangulate” to refer specifically to cutting off someone or something’s air supply by compressing the neck or throat.
• Only use “strangulate” in reference to living things.

Context Matters

When it comes to choosing between the words strangulate and strangle, context plays a crucial role. Both words have similar meanings, but there are subtle differences in their usage that can affect the overall tone and impact of a sentence.

Examples Of Different Contexts

Here are some examples of different contexts and how the choice between strangulate and strangle might change:

Context	Strangulate	Strangle
Medical	Doctors may use the term “strangulate” to describe a condition in which blood flow to an organ is cut off, causing tissue damage or death.	The term “strangle” may be used in a medical context to describe a choking or suffocation incident.
Criminal	The term “strangulate” is often used in criminal cases to describe a deliberate act of killing someone by cutting off their air supply.	The term “strangle” may be used in a criminal context to describe a physical assault in which the victim is choked or suffocated.
Figurative	The term “strangulate” can be used figuratively to describe something that is suffocating or suppressing, such as a restrictive government policy that strangles economic growth.	The term “strangle” can also be used figuratively, but may connote a more violent or aggressive action, such as a company that strangles its competition by undercutting prices.

As you can see, the choice between strangulate and strangle can depend on the specific context in which they are used. In some cases, one word may be more appropriate than the other based on the intended meaning and tone of the sentence.

Exceptions To The Rules

While the rules for using strangulate and strangle are generally straightforward, there are some exceptions where these rules might not apply. In these cases, it is important to understand the context in which these words are being used in order to use them correctly.

Exceptions For Strangulate

One exception to the rule of using strangulate to refer to the act of cutting off someone’s air supply is in the medical field. In medical terminology, strangulate is used to refer to a condition where a part of the body is constricted, cutting off blood flow and potentially leading to tissue death. For example:

• A strangulated hernia occurs when part of the intestine becomes trapped and the blood supply is cut off.
• A strangulated blood vessel can lead to a heart attack or stroke.

Another exception is in the context of plant growth. Strangulate can be used to describe the way in which a plant’s growth is restricted by a tight constricting band. For example:

• The tree’s growth was strangulated by the tight wire wrapped around its trunk.
• The plant’s stem was strangulated by the tight rubber band, causing it to wither and die.

Exceptions For Strangle

One exception to the rule of using strangle to refer to the act of cutting off someone’s air supply is in the context of figurative language. Strangle can be used metaphorically to describe a situation or emotion that feels suffocating or overwhelming. For example:

• The company’s growth was strangled by excessive regulations and bureaucracy.
• I felt like my emotions were being strangled by the weight of my grief.

Another exception is in the context of sports. Strangle can be used to describe a grappling technique used in martial arts or wrestling to control an opponent’s movements. For example:

• The fighter used a strangle hold to force his opponent to submit.
• The wrestler executed a strangle move to pin his opponent to the mat.

Practice Exercises

To improve your understanding and usage of strangulate and strangle, here are some practice exercises:

Exercise 1: Fill In The Blank

Choose the correct word (strangulate or strangle) to fill in the blank in each of the following sentences:

1. The python began to __________ its prey.
2. The tight collar was starting to __________ me.
3. The company’s financial problems threatened to __________ its growth.
4. The victim’s neck showed signs of __________.
5. The government’s policies were beginning to __________ the economy.

Answer Key:

1. strangle
2. strangulate
3. strangulate
4. strangulation
5. strangle

Exercise 2: Sentence Completion

Complete the following sentences by choosing the correct word (strangulate or strangle):

1. The athlete’s poor performance was due to the fact that his nerves were __________.
2. If you __________ a plant’s stem, it will eventually die.
3. The boxer was disqualified for attempting to __________ his opponent.
4. The victim’s hands were found to have marks consistent with __________.
5. The company’s decision to cut funding to its research department could __________ its future success.

Answer Key:

1. strangulated
2. strangle
3. strangle
4. strangulation
5. strangle

By practicing these exercises, you can improve your understanding and usage of strangulate and strangle. Remember, strangulate refers specifically to the act of cutting off someone or something’s air supply, while strangle can refer to a broader range of actions that involve choking or constricting something.

Conclusion

After exploring the differences between strangulate and strangle, it is clear that these two words are not interchangeable. Strangulate refers specifically to the constriction of a body part, while strangle can refer to the act of choking or suffocating in general. It is important to use the correct word in the appropriate context to avoid confusion or miscommunication.

As with any aspect of grammar and language use, it is always beneficial to continue learning and expanding your knowledge. By doing so, you can improve your writing and communication skills, and avoid common mistakes that can detract from the clarity and effectiveness of your message.