1
2
3
as in to suffocate
to be or cause to be killed by lack of breathable air
thick, black smoke choked the trapped firefighters
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
4
as in to block
to prevent passage through by filling with something
overgrown bushes choked the narrow alleyway between the buildings
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
Example Sentences
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to
show current usage.
Read More
Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors.
Send us feedback.
Recent Examples of choke
Drewes said Swalwell drugged her single glass of wine before a political event in 2018, brought her to his hotel room, then choked and raped her.
—
Chris Fusco, Sacbee.com, 15 Apr. 2026
But Iran was ultimately able to choke the global economy by enforcing a closure largely with drones aimed at foreign tankers.
—Garrett M. Graff, New Yorker, 14 Apr. 2026
At their third encounter, Drewes alleged that Swalwell drugged, raped, and choked her in his hotel room.
—Emily Hallas, The Washington Examiner, 14 Apr. 2026
In 2005 Brian was arrested after he was accused of choking his biological daughter, then a minor, from a previous relationship, records show; he was later found not guilty.
—Janelle Griffith, PEOPLE, 14 Apr. 2026
See All Example Sentences for choke
Chris Fusco, Sacbee.com, 15 Apr. 2026
But Iran was ultimately able to choke the global economy by enforcing a closure largely with drones aimed at foreign tankers.
—Garrett M. Graff, New Yorker, 14 Apr. 2026
At their third encounter, Drewes alleged that Swalwell drugged, raped, and choked her in his hotel room.
—Emily Hallas, The Washington Examiner, 14 Apr. 2026
In 2005 Brian was arrested after he was accused of choking his biological daughter, then a minor, from a previous relationship, records show; he was later found not guilty.
—Janelle Griffith, PEOPLE, 14 Apr. 2026
See All Example Sentences for choke
Recent Examples of Synonyms for choke
Verb
-
The emerging uproar could prove costly for Swalwell if his fundraising dries up, strangling his ability to run campaign ads, or if unions and other groups that endorsed his campaign begin to retract their decisions.—
ABC News,
ABC News,
10 Apr. 2026
-
Horner, a former FedEx driver who abducted the child while delivering a package to her home, told a false story about hitting the little girl with his truck and then strangling her in a panic, Espinoza testified.—
Amy McDaniel,
Fort Worth Star-Telegram,
10 Apr. 2026
Verb
-
Well, not stopping at one drink, or 10, and then vomiting on Katy's foot was the answer.—
Edward Segarra,
USA Today,
17 Apr. 2026
-
Lopman’s son Ruben was suffering from severe dehydration from rotavirus, one of the most common causes of diarrhea and vomiting in babies and children.—
Lauren Dunn,
NBC news,
15 Apr. 2026
Verb
-
More than four decades after a newborn girl was found suffocated and abandoned on a North Dakota college campus, authorities say DNA technology has finally led to a murder charge against a 65-year-old Arizona woman.—
Stephen Sorace,
FOXNews.com,
14 Apr. 2026
-
The bins — often containing wheat, oats or barley — also bring additional risks because grain dust accumulation can contribute to fire hazards, spoiled grain can expose workers to potentially toxic substances and falling into the grain can quickly swallow and suffocate a person.—
Desiree Anello,
PEOPLE,
11 Apr. 2026
Verb
-
Some 20 Republicans joined most Democrats in blocking its advance.—
ABC News,
ABC News,
17 Apr. 2026
-
Human Rights Watch said authorities have taken sweeping steps to curb religious practice, including tearing down churches and crosses, blocking gatherings at unregistered churches and seizing religious materials not approved by the state.—
Greg Wehner,
FOXNews.com,
17 Apr. 2026
Verb
-
The detentions have made residents hesitant to speak about the war, throttled the availability of crucial online evidence of the unfolding conflict and contributed to a climate of fear in the face of authoritarian governments.—
Jane Lytvynenko,
NBC news,
17 Apr. 2026
-
So that really throttled things.—
Jennifer Maas,
Variety,
17 Apr. 2026
Verb
-
Upon opening the patient's abdomen, a megacolon allegedly burst, obstructing visibility, the emergency application said.—
Cara Tabachnick,
CBS News,
14 Apr. 2026
-
Don't tail large vehicles closely - Trucks or buses can kick up a water spray that obstructs visibility.—
KANSAS CITY STAR WEATHER BOT,
Kansas City Star,
14 Apr. 2026
Verb
-
The sentencing changes are the latest in a slew of constitutional reforms jammed through by Bukele and his allies.—
ABC News,
ABC News,
15 Apr. 2026
-
This can mean beaming radio interference at satellites overhead in order to jam their communications, or even pointing lasers at the optical sensors on spy satellites in order to blind them.—
Brett Tingley,
Space.com,
15 Apr. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Choke.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/choke. Accessed 18 Apr. 2026.
Copy CitationLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
