Strangle vs. Throttle: What's the Difference?
Edited by Aimie Carlson || By Janet White || Updated on October 9, 2023
Strangle primarily means to kill by squeezing the neck; throttle can also mean to choke or suppress but additionally refers to controlling the flow of fuel or air in an engine.
Key Differences
Strangle and throttle, though used interchangeably, have distinct meanings and connotations. Strangle usually refers to the act of killing by compressing the neck to obstruct breath or blood flow, typically associated with a violent and forceful action, usually involving bare hands or a ligature. On the other hand, throttle, while also signifying to choke or strangle, particularly encompasses the idea of suppressing or repressing something, such as throttling a sound or a reaction.
Further exploring these terms, it is evident that strangle generally connotes a severe, life-threatening action with the primary intention of causing death or unconsciousness. It is an explicit term, often used in legal and medical contexts to describe a mode of homicide or suicide. Throttle, in contrast, has a broader usage and can imply constriction or control without necessarily indicating an intention to kill. It can be used metaphorically to represent the suppression of emotions, ideas, or expressions.
Additionally, throttle has specific meanings in the context of machinery and technology. It refers to a device controlling the flow of fuel or air to an engine’s combustion chamber, regulating the power generated by the engine. It is a term commonly associated with automotive and aeronautical engineering, symbolizing control and regulation. Strangle lacks this technical connotation and strictly adheres to its definition related to physical harm and compression.
While both strangle and throttle imply some form of compression or constriction, the context and intent behind their use differ significantly. Strangle is unequivocally violent and harmful, representing a clear and present danger to life. Throttle, though retaining the potential for harm in some of its meanings, extends to various contexts, including technology and metaphorical expressions, denoting control, repression, or regulation.
Comparison Chart
Definition
Primarily means to kill by squeezing the neck.
Can mean to choke but also refers to controlling the flow in engines.
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Connotation
Violent, life-threatening, explicit.
Broader, implying constriction or control, often regulatory.
Context
Medical, legal, often related to physical harm.
Various, including technology, metaphorical expressions, and physical harm.
Intention
Primarily to cause death or unconsciousness.
Can imply control or repression without intention to kill.
Usage
Strictly adheres to definitions related to compression and harm.
Diverse, extends to different contexts including machinery.
Strangle and Throttle Definitions
Strangle
To kill by squeezing the throat.
He tried to strangle his opponent in a fit of rage.
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Throttle
To choke or suffocate by constricting the throat.
He used a cloth to throttle his victim.
Strangle
To suppress or hinder development.
Excessive restrictions can strangle innovation.
Throttle
To control the flow of fuel or air in an engine.
The pilot throttled the engine to adjust the speed.
Strangle
To constrict or block the breath.
The tight collar seemed to strangle him.
Throttle
To reduce the speed of (an engine) by decreasing the flow of fuel.
The driver throttled the car as he approached the curve.
Strangle
To inhibit the growth.
Weeds can strangle the growth of smaller plants.
Throttle
A valve that regulates the flow of a fluid, such as the valve in an internal-combustion engine that controls the amount of air-fuel mixture entering the cylinders.
Strangle
To cut off the oxygen supply.
The plastic bag could strangle a small animal if it gets stuck.
Throttle
A lever or pedal controlling such a valve.
Strangle
To kill by squeezing the throat so as to choke or suffocate; throttle.
Throttle
To regulate the flow of (fuel) in an engine.
Strangle
To cut off the oxygen supply of; smother.
Throttle
To regulate the speed of (an engine) with a throttle.
Strangle
To suppress, repress, or stifle
Strangle a scream.
Throttle
To suppress
Tried to throttle the press.
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).
Throttle
To strangle (a person); choke.
Strangle
To become strangled.
Throttle
A valve that regulates the supply of fuel-air mixture to an internal combustion engine and thus controls its speed; a similar valve that controls the air supply to an engine.
Strangle
To die from suffocation or strangulation; choke.
Throttle
The lever or pedal that controls this valve.
Strangle
(transitive) To kill someone by squeezing the throat so as to cut off the oxygen supply; to choke, suffocate or throttle.
He strangled his wife and dissolved the body in acid.
Throttle
The windpipe or trachea.
Strangle
(transitive) To stifle or suppress.
She strangled a scream.
Throttle
(transitive) To control or adjust the speed of (an engine).
Strangle
(intransitive) To be killed by strangulation, or become strangled.
The cat slipped from the branch and strangled on its bell-collar.
Throttle
(transitive) To cut back on the speed of (an engine, person, organization, network connection, etc.).
Strangle
(intransitive) To be stifled, choked, or suffocated in any manner.
Throttle
(transitive) To strangle or choke someone.
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.
Throttle
(intransitive) To have the throat obstructed so as to be in danger of suffocation; to choke; to suffocate.
Strangle
To compress the windpipe of (a person or animal) until death results from stoppage of respiration; to choke to death by compressing the throat, as with the hand or a rope.
Our Saxon ancestors compelled the adulteress to strangle herself.
Throttle
(intransitive) To breathe hard, as when nearly suffocated.
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?
Throttle
(transitive) To utter with breaks and interruption, in the manner of a person half suffocated.
Strangle
To hinder from appearance; to stifle; to suppress.
Throttle
The windpipe, or trachea; the weasand.
Strangle
To be strangled, or suffocated.
Throttle
The throttle valve.
Strangle
Kill by squeezing the throat of so as to cut off the air;
He tried to strangle his opponent
A man in Boston has been strangling several dozen prostitutes
Throttle
To compress the throat of; to choke; to strangle.
Grant him this, and the Parliament hath no more freedom than if it sat in his noose, which, when he pleases to draw together with one twitch of his negative, shall throttle a whole nation, to the wish of Caligula, in one neck.
Strangle
Conceal or hide;
Smother a yawn
Muffle one's anger
Strangle a yawn
Throttle
To utter with breaks and interruption, in the manner of a person half suffocated.
Throttle their practiced accent in their fears.
Strangle
Die from strangulation
Throttle
To shut off, or reduce flow of, as steam to an engine.
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
Throttle
To have the throat obstructed so as to be in danger of suffocation; to choke; to suffocate.
Strangle
Constrict (someone's) throat and keep from breathing
Throttle
To breathe hard, as when nearly suffocated.
Strangle
Struggle for breath; have insufficient oxygen intake;
He swallowed a fishbone and gagged
Throttle
A valve that regulates the supply of fuel to the engine
Throttle
A pedal that controls the throttle valve;
He stepped on the gas
Throttle
Place limits on (extent or access);
Restrict the use of this parking lot
Limit the time you can spend with your friends
Throttle
Kill by squeezing the throat of so as to cut off the air;
He tried to strangle his opponent
A man in Boston has been strangling several dozen prostitutes
Throttle
Reduce the air supply;
Choke a carburetor
Throttle
To suppress or restrain.
The regime sought to throttle dissenting voices.
Throttle
To obstruct or check the flow of.
The blocked pipe throttled the water flow.
FAQs
Can throttle mean to control or suppress?
Yes, throttle can mean to control, suppress, or restrain.
Does throttle have specific meanings in machinery and technology?
Yes, throttle refers to controlling the flow of fuel or air in engines in technological contexts.
Can throttle imply non-violent constriction or control?
Yes, throttle can imply non-violent constriction, control, or regulation.
Does strangle primarily imply a violent action?
Yes, strangle primarily implies a violent, life-threatening action.
Is strangle used strictly in the context of causing harm?
Yes, strangle is generally used to denote causing harm through compression.
Does strangle mean to cut off the oxygen supply?
Yes, to strangle is to cut off the oxygen supply by constricting the throat.
Can throttle be associated with automotive and aeronautical engineering?
Yes, throttle is commonly associated with controlling engine power in automotive and aeronautical engineering.
Is the intention behind strangle primarily to cause death or unconsciousness?
Yes, the primary intention behind strangling is usually to cause death or unconsciousness.
Is the term throttle broader in usage compared to strangle?
Yes, throttle has a broader usage, extending to various contexts, including technology and metaphorical expressions.
Is strangle often used in legal and medical contexts?
Yes, strangle is often used in legal and medical contexts to describe a mode of death.
Can throttle be used metaphorically?
Yes, throttle can be used metaphorically to denote suppression or repression of emotions or ideas.
Can strangle also imply suppressing or hindering development?
Yes, strangle can metaphorically imply suppressing or hindering development or growth.
Does strangle have any technical connotations like throttle?
No, strangle strictly adheres to definitions related to compression and harm without technical connotations.
Can throttle also mean to decrease the speed of an engine?
Yes, to throttle can mean to reduce the speed of an engine by controlling the flow of fuel or air.
Can strangle be used metaphorically to denote inhibition of growth?
Yes, strangle can be used metaphorically to denote the inhibition or hindrance of growth.
About Author
Written by
Janet WhiteJanet White has been an esteemed writer and blogger for Difference Wiki. Holding a Master's degree in Science and Medical Journalism from the prestigious Boston University, she has consistently demonstrated her expertise and passion for her field. When she's not immersed in her work, Janet relishes her time exercising, delving into a good book, and cherishing moments with friends and family.
Edited by
Aimie CarlsonAimie Carlson, holding a master's degree in English literature, is a fervent English language enthusiast. She lends her writing talents to Difference Wiki, a prominent website that specializes in comparisons, offering readers insightful analyses that both captivate and inform.
