CHOKE HOLD Synonyms: 48 Similar and Opposite Words

choke hold

noun

Definition of choke hold

as in sway

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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

Softening rather than stiffening when moving through space requires embracing your body’s natural sway and tiny micro-movements, like an ankle wobbling or knee jiggling.

— Deborah Vankin, Los Angeles Times, 18 Aug. 2026
That’s given Betancourt tremendous sway in Venezuelan oil circles, the people said, in spite of years of investigations in Europe, the US and Venezuela over allegations of corruption, money laundering and tax fraud.

— Fabiola Zerpa, Fortune, 17 Aug. 2026

Definition of sway

Noun

Communities from Lansing, Michigan, to Pflugerville, Texas, are ending their relationship with Flock, largely over concerns regarding out-of-control surveillance, unwanted data sharing, high expenses, and reports of police abusing the tool.

— Cyrus Farivar, ArsTechnica, 28 Aug. 2026
According to the sheriff's office, Awais used his property-management companies and his relationships with association board members to exert control over the organizations' operations and finances.

— Chelsea Jones, CBS News, 28 Aug. 2026

Definition of control

Noun

The hotel truly offers a mastery of expert service, without being overbearing.

— Condé Nast, Condé Nast Traveler, 28 Aug. 2026
Montessori mixed-age classrooms allow younger children to learn from older peers while older studentsstrengthen confidence, mastery, and leadership.

— Jose Bolaños, San Diego Union-Tribune, 24 Aug. 2026

Definition of mastery

Noun

Harris, making just his eighth career appearance, set the tone by pitching two perfect innings with two strikeouts to record his second career hold.

— Justice delos Santos, Mercury News, 28 Aug. 2026
Only seven people were identified as having an ICE hold, meaning ICE had already identified them for potential deportation.

— Rachel Spacek, Los Angeles Times, 28 Aug. 2026

Definition of hold

Noun

Licata and Fort Worth ISD’s Board of Managers implemented the Elevate model for the district’s most struggling campuses shortly after they were appointed to their jobs by the Texas Education Agency as part of its takeover of the district.

— Fort Worth Star-Telegram, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 28 Aug. 2026
Those conversations were spearheaded by headline events including the fatal stabbing of Ukrainian refugee Iryna Zarutska on the light rail in South End and teen takeovers.

— Desiree Mathurin, Charlotte Observer, 28 Aug. 2026

Definition of takeover

Noun

That's pretty darn cool for people getting to grips with the latest generation of robotics programming tools and training systems.

— New Atlas, New Atlas, 31 Aug. 2026
As Russia’s war in Ukraine becomes increasingly costly with no end in sight, the Kremlin has kept tightening its grip over Russian society.

— Andrei Soldatov, Foreign Affairs, 31 Aug. 2026

Definition of grip

Noun

Another win was with a European car maker that replaced its next-gen Endpoint Detection and Response, legacy SIEM, and legacy vulnerability management product with an eight-figure net-new Falcon Flex.

— Jeff Marks, CNBC, 27 Aug. 2026
Florida is launching a new initiative to encourage more students to choose careers in emergency management, which the governor announced a week after a shakeup in leadership at the state’s Department of Emergency Management.

— Alex Harris, Miami Herald, 26 Aug. 2026

Definition of management

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choked off

choke hold

choke holds

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“Choke hold.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/choke%20hold. Accessed 1 Sep. 2026.

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Synonyms of choke hold

noun

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