CHOKE HOLD Synonyms: 48 Similar and Opposite Words

choke hold

noun

Definition of choke hold

as in sway

Related Words

Relevance

Dissimilar Words

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 hold Beijing now seeks to maximize its choke hold over rare earths, semiconductors, and other supply chains, to use them as leverage in other situations, including Taiwan. — Ann Scott Tyson, Christian Science Monitor, 31 Mar. 2026 New phone footage leaked to TMZ appears to show Paul putting Mortensen in a choke hold and hurling metal chairs at him; a child cries. — Rebecca Jennings, Vulture, 20 Mar. 2026 Today on the show, the story of a financial lifeline that can turn into a financial choke hold. — Alina Selyukh, NPR, 11 Mar. 2026 Maduro was awful on that, but our ability to strangle off and keep the choke hold on the Venezuelan regime keeps that fleet blockading Venezuela. — CBS News, 18 Jan. 2026 See All Example Sentences for choke hold

Recent Examples of Synonyms for choke hold

Noun

By the mid-nineteenth century the Hawaiian throne, and the British, were both losing power as the growing cartel of US plantation bosses aggressively sought sway.

— Literary Hub, Literary Hub, 20 July 2026
Aside from securing more than $1 billion in new funding for public transit, the state’s new landmark mass transit law centralizes planning, budgeting and service standards across the agencies and gives Preckwinkle more sway in their decision-making.

— A.D. Quig, Chicago Tribune, 16 July 2026

Definition of sway

Noun

The rooms What started out as a modest clutch of rooms in one traditional-looking building has grown over the years to an impressive 311 rooms.

— Condé Nast, Condé Nast Traveler, 21 July 2026
The Spanish royal finished it with a red Menbur clutch as Spain defeated Argentina 1-0 in extra time to claim its second men’s World Cup title.

— Maggie Clancy, Footwear News, 21 July 2026

Definition of clutch

Noun

Massive forest fires have forced the evacuation of some 200,000 people in southwestern France and central Spain, with residents fleeing towns near Madrid and Bordeaux on Friday as flames raged out of control.

— ABC News, ABC News, 25 July 2026
The Wildcats managed just two free throw makes in the entire Elam segment while KU took control of the contest.

— Gary Bedore, Kansas City Star, 25 July 2026

Definition of control

Noun

That militant arm of the Democratic Party kept Black voters from going to the polls, sometimes by violence, The Observer reported.

— Chase Jordan July 23, Charlotte Observer, 23 July 2026
There could also be interest in a controllable arm like left-hander Daniel Lynch IV.

— Kansas City Star, Kansas City Star, 23 July 2026

Definition of arm

Noun

The goal is to establish a school focused on advanced tech breakthroughs, art and architecture, developing technical and visual mastery through studio practice and design labs, and also to help students build both business and tech fluency.

— Sydney Lake, Fortune, 23 July 2026
Eggers writes with passion and precision about each step of Cricket’s progress, from his early tentative efforts to his growing mastery.

— Tope Folarin, The Atlantic, 22 July 2026

Definition of mastery

Noun

The process was put on hold for one year by a protest of Railyards residents last summer, who argued the city should require that developers build a larger portion of affordable housing in the district.

— Sacbee.com, Sacbee.com, 24 July 2026
Stein maintained a hold rating on Tesla, but lowered his price target by 14%, to $370 from $430.

— Davis Giangiulio, CNBC, 24 July 2026

Definition of hold

Noun

Nightclubs and rooftop bars from E11EVEN in Miami to Marquee in New York (plus E11EVEN’s takeover nights at Cipriani in Manhattan and FYE in Toronto) faced surges Speakeasy’s platform quietly absorbed.

— Lilian Raji, Forbes.com, 23 July 2026
The Italian bank took an initial 9% stake in 2024, before ramping it up to about 30% in March, fueling expectations of a full takeover, a prospect fiercely resisted by Commerzbank management.

— Hugh Leask, CNBC, 23 July 2026

Definition of takeover

Noun

The Chavista regime swiftly reinvented itself as an American ally and secured its continued grip on the Venezuelan people and the country’s resources.

— Rafael Osío Cabrices, Time, 20 July 2026
When employees feel seen rather than judged, the physiological grip of stress often eases.

— Dr. Erika Rasure, Forbes.com, 20 July 2026

Definition of grip

Browse Nearby Words

choked off

choke hold

choke holds

See all Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

Style

“Choke hold.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/choke%20hold. Accessed 25 Jul. 2026.

Copy Citation

Synonyms of choke hold

noun

Example Sentences

Browse Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

More from Merriam-Webster

Word of the Day

vituperate

Popular in Grammar & Usage

Democracy or Republic: What's the difference?

Merriam-Webster’s Great Big List of Words You Love to Hate

'A' or 'an'? What about before 'h'? An Indefinite Article Guide

Do you 'say your piece' or 'say your peace'?

Why is '-ed' sometimes pronounced at the end of a word?

Popular in Wordplay

It's a Scorcher! Words for the Summer Heat

The Longest Long Words List

Ten Words Ending with a Silent ‘T’

The Words of the Week - Jul 24

Why do we say 'fly off the handle'?

Popular

Democracy or Republic: What's the difference?

It's a Scorcher! Words for the Summer Heat

The Longest Long Words List

Games & Quizzes