garrote

1 of 2

noun

gar·​rote gə-ˈrät How to pronounce garrote (audio) -ˈrōt How to pronounce garrote (audio)
ˈger-ət,
ˈga-rət How to pronounce garrote (audio)
variants or garotte
1
a
: a method of execution by strangulation
b
: the apparatus used
2
: an implement (such as a wire with a handle at each end) for strangulation

garrote

2 of 2

verb

variants or garotte
garroted or garotted; garroting or garotting

transitive verb

: to strangle with or as if with a garrote
garroter noun

Examples of garrote in a Sentence

Verb the goons sent by the loan shark threatened to garrote the hero with his own necktie
Recent Examples on the Web
Noun
John later found JonBenét dead in the cellar with a garrote tied around her neck. Liam Quinn, Peoplemag, 25 Dec. 2023 The suit states that an officer reviewed footage of Foster carrying around a large black duffel bag — allegedly containing two airsoft guns modified to appear to be real guns and a garrote, which is a strangulation device — and an orange ammo case. Emily St. Martin, Los Angeles Times, 5 Oct. 2023 In Sun’s bedroom, authorities found a military-style ballistic vest, a crossbow with scope and light, 20 rounds of 9mm ammunition, a military ski mask, an ammunition clip loader, and a strangulation apparatus called a garrote. Erin McCarthy, Philly.com, 6 June 2018 An organizer of the event pointed out the spot where Salvador Puig Antich, the last of many who opposed the regime to be executed here, was killed with the use of a garrote in 1974. Judy Cantor-Navas, Billboard, 13 Apr. 2018
Verb
That means the Senate's only practical effect is adding another point at which oligarch lobbyists can garrote popular policy. Ryan Cooper, The Week, 29 Oct. 2021 Tony, unhindered by any sense of moral anguish, garrotes the man in broad daylight with a length of cable. Adam Wilson, Harper's magazine, 16 Sep. 2019 Sometimes the line between good writing and bad writing can be as thin as the piano wire with which a madman garrotes his victims. Laura Miller, Slate Magazine, 15 Aug. 2017 Last year, he was garroted by saw briars—the vicious inch-long thorns that lace the course—which left bleeding gashes across his neck. George Pendle, Esquire, 26 July 2017

These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'garrote.' Any opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.

Word History

Etymology

Noun

Spanish garrote

First Known Use

Noun

1622, in the meaning defined at sense 1a

Verb

1851, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of garrote was in 1622

Dictionary Entries Near garrote

Cite this Entry

“Garrote.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/garrote. Accessed 19 Mar. 2024.

Kids Definition

garrote

1 of 2 noun
gar·​rote
variants or garotte
1
a
: a method of execution by strangling
b
: the apparatus used
2
: an implement (as a wire with a handle at each end) for strangling

garrote

2 of 2 verb
variants or garotte
garroted or garotted; garroting or garotting
: to strangle with or as if with a garrote
garroter noun

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