What does strangulated mean?
Strangulated means killed or critically affected by constriction of the neck that prevents normal breathing or blood flow. The term is especially associated with forensic and legal descriptions of a death and with medical conditions in which a trapped or protruding body part has its circulation obstructed. A strangulated hernia, for example, is an emergency because the affected tissue may become damaged or die if the constriction continues. As the past tense and past participle of strangle, the word can also describe the act of killing someone by squeezing the neck. It is more formal and technically focused than strangled and is not normally used for casual speech.
Killed by or subjected to constriction of the neck that obstructs breathing or circulation; in medicine, affected by compression that cuts off blood flow.
"The surgeon warned that the strangulated hernia required immediate surgery."
Common in forensic, legal, and medical contexts.
The past tense and past participle of strangle: to kill or render unable to breathe by squeezing the neck.
"The witness said that the attacker strangulated the victim."
Used as the simple past tense or past participle of strangle.
A strangulated hernia is not merely squeezed: its blood supply can be cut off, making it a medical emergency.
Reviewed by Deb Chak, Editor. AI-assisted content curated by RJS Tech Solutions LLP.
Where does strangulated come from?
The word comes through Latin strangulare, meaning “to strangle,” which is related to Latin strangula, “throat.” English developed several words from this root, including strangle, strangler, strangulate, and strangulation. The suffix -ate was added in the Latinate formation strangulate, and strangulated developed from that verb.
Related word forms
How strangulated is actually used
The adjective is used in legal and medical contexts, where it is more formal and technically specific than the everyday expression strangled. It can also function as the past tense or past participle of strangle.
Easily confused with strangulated
Strangled describes death or suffocation caused by squeezing the neck, whereas strangulated more specifically implies constriction and may also refer to a body part whose blood supply has been obstructed.