Synonyms of throttle

throttle

verb

ˈthrä-tᵊl 

as in to choke

to keep (someone) from breathing by exerting pressure on the windpipe

I was so angry at what he was saying that I could have throttled him!

Synonyms & Similar Words

• choke
• strangle
• suffocate
• garrote
• smother
• stifle
• asphyxiate
• scrag

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

• restore
• revive
• resuscitate

Example Sentences

Recent Examples of throttle

The states alleged in their lawsuit that the acquisition will substantially throttle competition in wide-release and top-grossing theatrical distribution and cable licensing in violation of antitrust laws. — Winston Cho, HollywoodReporter, 24 July 2026

Brent crude settled above $100 a barrel Thursday for the first time since late May, after Yemen's Houthis claimed strikes on two Saudi oil tankers in the Red Sea — opening a second chokepoint in a war that has already throttled the Strait of Hormuz. — Anniek Bao, CNBC, 24 July 2026

None of this change of perception will stop Iran from throttling maritime passages or striking Saudi or Emirati ports. — Graeme Wood, The Atlantic, 24 July 2026

But much as the geology of the Strait of Hormuz gives Iran a narrow choke point to throttle international trade, the geology of the mountain, known in Iran as Kuh-e Kolang Gaz La, provides powerful protection for nuclear equipment. — Stephanie Pappas, Scientific American, 23 July 2026

Phrases Containing throttle

• at full throttle