1
as in strangles
to keep (someone) from breathing by exerting pressure on the windpipe
let go of my throat—you're choking me!
Synonyms & Similar Words
Relevance
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
2
3
as in smothers
to be or cause to be killed by lack of breathable air
thick, black smoke choked the trapped firefighters
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
4
as in blocks
to prevent passage through by filling with something
overgrown bushes choked the narrow alleyway between the buildings
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
Example Sentences
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Recent Examples of chokes
Their inclusion on the recent flight comes as the United States chokes the nation’s oil supplies in a bid for negotiations that could end up in regime change, sparking questions about whether Cuba will take more deportations to ease the political and economic pressure.
—
Syra Ortiz Blanes, Miami Herald, 19 Feb. 2026
This determines whether Precinct 4 thrives or chokes on its own growth.
—Rachel Royster, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 14 Feb. 2026
Bond chokes Blofeld, who quickly dies from the virus.
—Allison Degrushe, Entertainment Weekly, 28 Jan. 2026
Much of the work focused on pulling out English ivy, an invasive vine known for slowly killing trees, and clearing debris that chokes the forest floor.
—Brian Unger, CBS News, 19 Jan. 2026
Physical bullying happens when a child hits, kicks, trips, pushes, chokes or otherwise hurts another child.
—Dr. Mahvash Madni, Boston Herald, 4 Jan. 2026
Left to die, breathless and alone, Invisigal chokes while Robert screams from the other end of the comms.
—Christopher Cruz, Rolling Stone, 7 Nov. 2025
Hybrid-resilient architecture—local backups that can kick in like muscle memory when the cloud chokes.
—Expert Panel®, Forbes.com, 3 Sep. 2025
Broken baggage chokes landfills and decomposes at a glacial pace.
—Christopher Elliott, Forbes, 28 Dec. 2024
Syra Ortiz Blanes, Miami Herald, 19 Feb. 2026
This determines whether Precinct 4 thrives or chokes on its own growth.
—Rachel Royster, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 14 Feb. 2026
Bond chokes Blofeld, who quickly dies from the virus.
—Allison Degrushe, Entertainment Weekly, 28 Jan. 2026
Much of the work focused on pulling out English ivy, an invasive vine known for slowly killing trees, and clearing debris that chokes the forest floor.
—Brian Unger, CBS News, 19 Jan. 2026
Physical bullying happens when a child hits, kicks, trips, pushes, chokes or otherwise hurts another child.
—Dr. Mahvash Madni, Boston Herald, 4 Jan. 2026
Left to die, breathless and alone, Invisigal chokes while Robert screams from the other end of the comms.
—Christopher Cruz, Rolling Stone, 7 Nov. 2025
Hybrid-resilient architecture—local backups that can kick in like muscle memory when the cloud chokes.
—Expert Panel®, Forbes.com, 3 Sep. 2025
Broken baggage chokes landfills and decomposes at a glacial pace.
—Christopher Elliott, Forbes, 28 Dec. 2024
Recent Examples of Synonyms for chokes
Verb
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Mostly, though, Boland strangles batters with his suffocating and deadly-accurate line and length.—
Tim Spiers,
New York Times,
7 Jan. 2026
-
What starts as an innocent father/daughter college visit takes a shocking turn when Tony brutally strangles a Mob turncoat.—
Dan Snierson,
Entertainment Weekly,
27 Dec. 2025
Verb
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There was also a moment where her character vomits all over Bradley's face while dragging him from the water.—
Nick Romano,
Entertainment Weekly,
29 Jan. 2026
-
My cat vomits once every week or two.—
Jane Sykes,
Washington Post,
5 Jan. 2026
Verb
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South Grand Prairie smothers Richardson to move on South Grand Prairie got 19 points from Janae Johnson to lead the Warriors to a 41-26 drubbing of Richardson in a Class 6A Division I bi-district game on Monday.—
Darren Lauber,
Fort Worth Star-Telegram,
17 Feb. 2026
-
The filmmaker leans pop-comic rather than petrifying in his final draft, opting for earnestness that smothers atmospheric dread.—
Alison Foreman,
IndieWire,
6 Feb. 2026
Verb
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New York, expensive for artists then, is nearly impossible now; the Soho blocks where My Dinner With André opens no longer hint at a struggling artist’s life.—
Christopher Bonanos,
Vulture,
23 Feb. 2026
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On August 2, 2027, the skies above parts of southern Spain, Northern Africa, the Middle East and the Horn of Africa will plunge into darkness as a total solar eclipse blocks all direct sunlight.—
Catherine Garcia,
TheWeek,
23 Feb. 2026
Verb
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Health care costs have risen dramatically faster than the spending cap set by TABOR, which in turn throttles other aspects of the state budget.—
Seth Klamann,
Denver Post,
14 Jan. 2026
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Gordon throttles Rankin, establishes six man dynasty Gordon defeated Rankin 69-22 in the Class 1A Division I six man state championship with a walk off touchdown Wednesday to claim its third consecutive state title.—
Charles Baggarly,
Fort Worth Star-Telegram,
17 Dec. 2025
Verb
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Don't tail large vehicles closely - Trucks or buses can kick up a water spray that obstructs visibility.—
CA Weather Bot,
Sacbee.com,
20 Feb. 2026
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This constitutes a blatant violation of international law and international humanitarian law, undermines the inalienable right of the Palestinian people to self-determination, and obstructs the establishment of their independent sovereign state .—
CBS News,
CBS News,
16 Feb. 2026
Verb
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That crud jams up the works of your coffee maker, slows brewing down, and impacts the taste of your morning brew.—
Melissa Locker,
Southern Living,
16 Feb. 2026
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The move effectively jams the upper chamber by including the repeal in the funding package without the necessary time to reverse course, giving the Senate no option but to approve it.—
Kaia Hubbard,
CBS News,
22 Jan. 2026
Verb
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The temperature also drops, wild animals transition to their nocturnal routines and stillness fills the air.—
Catherine Garcia,
TheWeek,
23 Feb. 2026
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As spring blooms, the festive spirit of Easter fills the air, combining whimsical traditions with heartfelt celebrations.—
Brandi D. Addison,
Austin American Statesman,
23 Feb. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Chokes.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/chokes. Accessed 28 Feb. 2026.
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