CHOKE (BACK) Synonyms: 28 Similar and Opposite Words

choke (back)

verb

Definition of choke (back)

as in to stifle

to refrain from openly showing or uttering choked back a sarcastic reply to an insulting question

Synonyms & Similar Words

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Antonyms & Near Antonyms

Example Sentences

Recent Examples of Synonyms for choke (back)

Verb

Debt acts as a ceiling on private investment, further stifling growth.

— Masood Ahmed, Fortune, 17 Oct. 2026
The weather served up truly stifling heat, including a stretch of highs in the mid-90s, and a few days of air quality emergency due to wildfire smoke drifting across the upper Midwest.

— Rick Porter, HollywoodReporter, 16 Oct. 2026

Definition of stifle

Verb

By failing to suppress a Democratic campaign ad about the scandal, the Republican Party is only calling more attention to the misuse of $10 million meant for Florida’s Medicaid program.

— Sun Sentinel Editorial Board, Sun Sentinel, 22 Oct. 2026
Critics say the changes could suppress overseas turnout; volunteers have responded with VoteBnB, matching voters with rides and places to stay near polling stations.

— Branimir Pipal, Los Angeles Times, 22 Oct. 2026

Definition of suppress

Verb

Even as Kyiv launches a massive drone strike against the Russian city of St Petersburg and tries to hold back Russian forces on the ground, Zelenskyy is fighting on the diplomatic front to keep Washington in his country's corner.

— Lim Hui Jie, CNBC, 19 Oct. 2026
Western intelligence sharing has helped Ukraine counter Russia’s devastating ballistic missiles and hold back Moscow’s full-scale invasion, which began more than 4½ years ago.

— Samya Kullab, Los Angeles Times, 19 Oct. 2026

Definition of hold back

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Browse Nearby Words

choke

choke (back)

choked

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“Choke (back).” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/choke%20%28back%29. Accessed 24 Oct. 2026.

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Synonyms of choke (back)

verb

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