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

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Recent Examples of Synonyms for choke (back)

Verb

Brown was part of stifling a KC law that was going to protect against housing discrimination on the basis of income source or criminal history in 2025.

— Sophie Lindberg, Kansas City Star, 23 Oct. 2026
Studies have shown that countries with stronger IP systems tend to be more innovative, while weaker IP systems may stifle innovation.

— Andrei Iancu, Fortune, 20 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

There is no answer to be found in this story, no magic pill, pleasingly round, to be halved or crushed, then swallowed.

— Literary Hub, Literary Hub, 26 Oct. 2026
Even more so in Bates’ home of Aroostook County, which swallows some 6,700 square miles way up near the Canadian border.

— Rachel Siegel, CNN Money, 24 Oct. 2026

Definition of swallow

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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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 28 Oct. 2026.

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Synonyms of choke (back)

verb

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