To strangle or choke (to constrict someone's neck so as to stop breathing); to constrict or squeeze tightly.
犯人は被害者の首を絞めて逃走したと見られる。
It is believed the criminal strangled the victim and fled.
毛布で相手の息道を絞める描写が小説に出てくる。
There is a scene in the novel where someone is suffocated with a blanket.
価格競争で中小企業が資金繰りを絞められている。
Small companies are being financially squeezed by price competition.