choke (back)

verb

Definition of choke (back)next
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)
  1. stifle
  2. suppress
  3. swallow
  4. hold back
Verb
  • Hierarchies, marked by upward reporting and limited horizontal interaction, often stifle innovation and prioritize control for short-term profit.
    — Steve Denning, Forbes.com, 9 Aug. 2026
  • Many of those who died were elderly, often alone, in a stifling house or apartment.
    — Scott Simon, NPR, 8 Aug. 2026
Definition of stifle
Verb
  • Ukraine's air force said Russian forces launched several missiles and 106 drones into the country in its latest barrage, of which three missiles and 85 drones were shot down or otherwise suppressed.
    — David Brennan, ABC News, 16 Aug. 2026
  • Mulch also helps suppress weeds and dissuades strawberry pests like slugs.
    — Michelle Mastro, Architectural Digest, 14 Aug. 2026
Definition of suppress
Verb
  • But his parents brought him back two days later, this time with fever, lethargy, a headache, and trouble swallowing.
    — Beth Mole, ArsTechnica, 12 Aug. 2026
  • Nowhere is the gap between noise and signal wider than in the obsession that has swallowed every other story, which is AI.
    — Nigel Morris, Forbes.com, 12 Aug. 2026
Definition of swallow
Verb
  • That said, the show’s decision to hold back on this reveal also makes narrative sense.
    — Hillary Busis, Vanity Fair, 11 Aug. 2026
  • Severe drought in 2022 on Lake Mead, which is held back by the Hoover Dam, exposed human remains and forced water officials in Las Vegas to pump water from deeper within the reservoir to continue to supply water to millions of people.
    — Ty O'Neil, Fortune, 8 Aug. 2026
Definition of hold back
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.

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choke
choke (back)
choked
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Cite this Entry

“Choke (back).” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/choke%20%28back%29. Accessed 16 Aug. 2026.

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