strangled

Strangled is the past participle of the verb strangle and an adjective used to describe a person who has had air or blood flow restricted by external pressure on the neck, or something that has been restrained or obstructed by a similar force. The term is commonly applied to the act of strangulation, a form of asphyxia in which pressure is applied to the neck by hands, by a ligature, or by another object, leading to reduced oxygen supply and/or reduced blood flow to the brain. Strangulation can be rapidly dangerous and may result in unconsciousness, brain injury, or death if the constriction continues.

There are two principal forms. Manual strangulation involves pressure on the neck using hands or forearms. Ligature strangulation uses a rope, cord, or similar object to provide the constriction. Other related forms include positional or protective asphyxia, which are distinct mechanisms but can produce similar outcomes. The exact sequence of injury can vary; outcomes depend on duration, force, and the specific structures affected.

Legal and forensic contexts treat strangulation as a serious violent act in many jurisdictions. Forensic evaluations may look for neck injuries, soft tissue swelling, and signs such as conjunctival petechiae, though their presence is not universal. The absence of a hyoid bone fracture does not rule out strangulation, as such fractures are not consistently observed in non-fatal cases.

In everyday and literary usage, “strangled” can also describe a voice that is choked or impaired, or a situation that feels constrained or suppressed.