choke

Definition of chokenext
1
as in to strangle
to keep (someone) from breathing by exerting pressure on the windpipe let go of my throat—you're choking me!

Synonyms & Similar Words

Relevance

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

2
as in to vomit
to experience complete or partial blockage of the windpipe the recommended procedure for helping someone who is choking

Synonyms & Similar Words

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

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

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 Israel attacked oil depots on Sunday, igniting huge fires that smothered Tehran in thick, choking smoke, amid what residents have said is the heaviest bombing of the war so far. Patrick Reevell, ABC News, 10 Mar. 2026 In his first public comments since the conflict choked Middle East energy shipments, the head of the region’s largest oil producer said Aramco can divert more crude to an alternative route that avoids the Strait of Hormuz. Bloomberg, Oc Register, 10 Mar. 2026 The Group of Seven finance ministers are set to discuss a possible joint release of oil reserves on Monday, according to people familiar with the matter, as the Middle East war chokes flows from the region and sends prices soaring. Alberto Nardelli, Bloomberg, 9 Mar. 2026 This often results in a choking, snorting, or gasping sound as normal breathing resumes. Daniel Combs, Verywell Health, 9 Mar. 2026 See All Example Sentences for choke
Recent Examples of Synonyms for choke
Verb
  • Jorge Landeros, 56, was sentenced to 25 years in prison more than a decade after reportedly fatally beating and strangling a 52-year-old American University accounting professor in her Maryland home.
    Arkansas Online, Arkansas Online, 13 Mar. 2026
  • Willacy reportedly struck Sather in the head several times with a blunt object, then bound her hands and ankles before attempting to strangle her with a telephone cord.
    News Service Of Florida, Sun Sentinel, 13 Mar. 2026
Verb
  • His mother told reporters that Liam had a fever, was vomiting, and refused to eat.
    Caitlin Dickerson, The Atlantic, 10 Mar. 2026
  • The dogs have scented from a wall someone touched, the dirt a person stumbled in and vomit on a car door.
    ABC News, ABC News, 5 Mar. 2026
Verb
  • These symptoms are often overshadowed when someone feels suffocated by anxiety and consumed by worries.
    Deldhy Nicolás Moya Sánchez, The Conversation, 16 Mar. 2026
  • After all, Washington-Wilkes had found success suffocating other teams’ offenses, allowing just 36 points per game in its four playoff wins.
    Chip Saye, AJC.com, 12 Mar. 2026
Verb
  • The Israeli military later posted a second message in Farsi, noting the head of Iran's judiciary was at the rally and criticizing Iran for blocking many from seeing their warning, as authorities in Iran have almost completely shut down internet access.
    Arkansas Online, Arkansas Online, 14 Mar. 2026
  • Opponents sued to block enforcement the same year the law was enacted, but the 9th Circuit Court of Appeals let most of it go into effect.
    Idaho Statesman, Idaho Statesman, 13 Mar. 2026
Verb
  • Records could also be topped in Las Vegas and Phoenix through the weekend as the early-season desert heat wave throttles up.
    Doyle Rice, USA Today, 12 Mar. 2026
  • Much of the force behind recently tamer inflation is an overall weaker economy that’s throttling consumer demand.
    Jonathan Lansner, Oc Register, 11 Mar. 2026
Verb
  • Seferlis pleaded guilty to 17 counts of mailing threatening letters and eight counts of obstructing the exercise of religious beliefs, court documents show.
    JT Moodee Lockman, CBS News, 17 Mar. 2026
  • Jennings was charged obstructing a government operation.
    ABC News, ABC News, 17 Mar. 2026
Verb
  • After Jonathan Diller was shot, prosecutors say Rivera pointed the weapon at Rosen, but the gun jammed.
    Alice Gainer, CBS News, 12 Mar. 2026
  • This can include denial-of-service attacks, in which hackers try to jam a network so legitimate users cannot use it, and website defacements, which can prevent a company from communicating with customers.
    ABC News, ABC News, 12 Mar. 2026

Browse Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Choke.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/choke. Accessed 20 Mar. 2026.

More from Merriam-Webster on choke

Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
Love words? Need even more definitions?

Subscribe to America's largest dictionary and get thousands more definitions and advanced search—ad free!

More from Merriam-Webster