as in to stifle
to refrain from openly showing or uttering
choked back a sarcastic reply to an insulting question
Synonyms & Similar Words
Relevance
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
Example Sentences
Recent Examples of Synonyms for choke (back)
Verb
-
The objection was to stay compact in central areas, as well as stifling any passes into Gravenberch, who is crucial to Liverpool’s early build-up.—
The Athletic UK Staff,
New York Times,
25 Oct. 2025 -
Maricopa County Attorney Rachel Mitchell, the region's top prosecutor, is seeking to overturn a law that protects the public from lawsuits that stifle civic participation.—
Taylor Seely,
AZCentral.com,
24 Oct. 2025
Verb
-
That hearing was expected to include Mitchell and her top prosecutors taking the stand to defend their decisions and prove that charging the protesters was not meant to suppress their viewpoints.—
Taylor Seely,
AZCentral.com,
24 Oct. 2025
-
Most of us are socialized not just to suck it up, never to cry or show emotions, but also to suppress, go silent, hide, run away, act as if there is no agony.—
Kevin Powell,
MSNBC Newsweek,
24 Oct. 2025
Verb
-
When it was established in 1940, GSMNP swallowed up several communities, and the ruins of tiny timber towns can still be found.—
Graham Averill,
Outside,
28 Oct. 2025
-
These symptoms include rash, itching, respiratory trouble, swollen tongue, trouble swallowing and chest tightness.—
Desiree Anello,
PEOPLE,
25 Oct. 2025
Verb
-
Everybody behind the camera could barely hold back the guffaws.—
Cameron Crowe,
HollywoodReporter,
24 Oct. 2025
-
Following the loss, Redick did not hold back from criticizing his team for their third quarter performance.—
Evan Massey,
MSNBC Newsweek,
22 Oct. 2025
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.
Cite this Entry
“Choke (back).” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/choke%20%28back%29. Accessed 29 Oct. 2025.
Copy CitationLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
Share