barricaded

Meanings

1. 1verbtransitive

   Past tense and past participle of barricade: blocked a road, door or other opening with objects to stop people getting through.

   Grammar: Takes an object: they barricaded the door.

   Patterns

   • barricaded something with something
   • barricaded the door

   Protesters barricaded the street with overturned carts.

   The villagers barricaded the gate against the invaders.

   We barricaded the door with a heavy sofa during the storm.

2. 2verbtransitive

   Shut yourself in a place, protecting it with obstacles, to keep others out.

   Grammar: Often reflexive: she barricaded herself in her room.

   Patterns

   • barricaded yourself in something
   • barricaded themselves inside

   The gunman barricaded himself inside the building.

   She barricaded herself in her room and refused to come out.

   The staff barricaded themselves in the office until help arrived.

3. 3adjectivebefore a noun

   Blocked off by a barrier made of objects, so that nobody can pass.

   Grammar: Used before a noun: a barricaded door.

   Patterns

   • a barricaded door
   • a barricaded street

   Police approached the barricaded door cautiously.

   The barricaded streets kept cars away from the parade.

   Behind the barricaded gate, the farmers waited.

Common combinations

barricaded the door

They barricaded the door with chairs and a table.

barricaded himself inside

The man barricaded himself inside the shop.

barricaded the road

Workers barricaded the road during the strike.

barricaded windows

The barricaded windows made the house look abandoned.

barricaded against

They barricaded the town against the flood.

Synonyms and how they differ

blocked

Blocked is the general word for stopping passage, while barricaded implies deliberate piling of objects, often for defense.

fortified

Fortified means made strong against attack and often involves permanent walls, whereas barricaded can be quick and temporary.

sealed

Sealed suggests a closed, airtight or tightly shut opening, not a pile of obstacles.

cordoned off

Cordoned off means closed with ropes, tape or guards, usually by officials, and is milder than a barricade.

Opposites

Word family

barricade noun

a barrier of objects built to block a way

barricade verb

to block with a barrier

barrier noun

a related word for anything that blocks the way, from the same root as bar

Commonly confused: barricaded or barrier? barricaded or embargo?

Practice

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