vt.

1. 扼死；勒死；绞死
2. 扼住，闷住，使窒息
3. 抑制，压制
   Creativity is being strangled by financial pressures.

   创造力被经济上的重重压力抑制住了。

vi.

1. 被扼死；被勒死；被绞死
2. 窒息而死

v.

1. squeeze or constrict the neck of, especially so as to cause death.
2. suppress or hinder (an impulse, action, or sound).