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
  • The high pressure also stifles the sea breeze that can bring cooler ocean air onto land.
    — Noah Haggerty, Los Angeles Times, 2 Aug. 2026
  • The relaxed fit and open back allow air to flow through the dress, helping keep your body cool in the stifling heat.
    — Caroline Hughes, Travel + Leisure, 1 Aug. 2026
Definition of stifle
Verb
  • People may suppress their personality, emotions, or opinions to fit workplace expectations.
    — Kate Wieczorek, Forbes.com, 1 Aug. 2026
  • As the left and right argue, the disproportionate influence of a select few suppresses the will of the majority.
    — Susan Ostermann, Mercury News, 1 Aug. 2026
Definition of suppress
Verb
  • If there is swelling spreading well beyond the bite, a rash breaking out elsewhere on your body, or any trouble breathing or swallowing, treat that as an emergency and get medical help right away.
    — Maggie O'Neill, Verywell Health, 29 July 2026
  • And that’s probably too much for most individuals, and the political system, to swallow.
    — Howard Gleckman, Forbes.com, 27 July 2026
Definition of swallow
Verb
  • United hold back 200 tickets from each away allocation (typically 3,000) for their players, and not all of these are taken.
    — Andy Mitten, New York Times, 22 July 2026
  • Lenders financing these projects tend to hold back the money until the asset is covered for its full build cost, so the insurance question comes with a hard financial edge attached.
    — Dara-Abasi Ita, Forbes.com, 20 July 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.

Browse Nearby Words

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 4 Aug. 2026.

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