choke off

verb

choked off; choking off; chokes off

transitive verb

: to bring to a stop or to an end as if by choking

Examples of choke off in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web Shoppers and tourists would have fewer reasons to venture downtown to eat or shop, choking off spending and forcing layoffs at restaurants and retail stores. Rachel Siegel, Anchorage Daily News, 4 Sep. 2023 After 18 months of war, Ukraine is still seeking ways big and small to choke off foreign funding to Russia — in part by shaming companies that continue to work in the country. Kostiantyn Khudov, Washington Post, 26 Aug. 2023 Both commodities are natural by-products of mining other minerals, such as aluminum and zinc, so U.S. or other non-Chinese mining companies can easily get into the business of selling germanium and gallium if China seeks to choke off supply. Time, 20 July 2023 Some observers said the scrutiny was retaliation for U.S. attempts to choke off Chinese access to advanced technologies, including semiconductors, that have seen a slew of sanctions imposed on Chinese firms and entities. Reuters, NBC News, 9 May 2023 Its solar panels are likely covered with dust, choking off its power source and possibly preventing the rover from operating again, said Zhang Rongqiao, the mission’s chief designer. Marcia Dunn, Anchorage Daily News, 28 Apr. 2023 Analysis: Defying China, US House leader and Taiwan president present a united front A Chinese blockade of Taiwan could choke off supplies coming into the island, including any military aid or other shipments from the United States or its partners. Brad Lendon, CNN, 10 Apr. 2023 With an aggressive string of rate hikes last seen in the 1980s, the Fed aims to slash price hikes by slowing the economy and choking off demand. Max Zahn, ABC News, 12 Apr. 2023 Popular at first among the young and extremely online, the TikTok dance challenge became a mainstream phenomenon during pandemic shutdowns, which choked off many other outlets for performance and social connection. Margaret Fuhrer, New York Times, 7 Apr. 2023 See More

These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'choke off.' Any opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.

Word History

First Known Use

1818, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of choke off was in 1818

Dictionary Entries Near choke off

Cite this Entry

“Choke off.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/choke%20off. Accessed 29 Sep. 2023.

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