chokes (back)

verb

present tense third-person singular of choke (back)
as in stifles
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 chokes (back)
  1. stifles
  2. suppresses
  3. swallows
  4. holds back
Verb
  • Industry consensus has long held that rigorous ESG compliance naturally stifles speed-to-market.
    — Arthur Zaczkiewicz, Footwear News, 12 Aug. 2026
  • Attorneys general, including California’s Rob Bonta, allege that the transaction stifles competition across wide-release theatrical film distribution, big-budget blockbusters, and basic cable television channel licensing.
    — Jake Kanter, Deadline, 7 Aug. 2026
Definition of stifles
Verb
  • Warming suppresses upwelling — which normally allows colder, deeper and nutrient-rich ocean water to rise closer to the surface.
    — Los Angeles Times, Los Angeles Times, 10 Aug. 2026
  • Testosterone therapy suppresses the body's production of sperm and, in some cases, can lead to permanent infertility.
    — Will Stone, NPR, 10 Aug. 2026
Definition of suppresses
Verb
  • Yancy falls to the ground, and the hallway effectively swallows him up, leaving him heartbroken and alone.
    — Barry Levitt, Time, 23 July 2026
  • There also tends to be an excess of fabric to accommodate differing torso lengths, which swallows my 5-foot-2 frame.
    — Tamim Alnuweiri, InStyle, 21 July 2026
Definition of swallows
Verb
  • Samsung traditionally holds back one color in the Galaxy S range to be a web exclusive and drive consumers to its website, although typically this is one of the standard black or grey colors.
    — Ewan Spence, Forbes.com, 30 May 2026
  • The hydropower from Glen Canyon Dam that holds back Lake Powell serves more than 350,000 homes.
    — ABC News, ABC News, 8 May 2026
Definition of holds 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

chokes
chokes (back)
chokes off
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Cite this Entry

“Chokes (back).” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/chokes%20%28back%29. Accessed 16 Aug. 2026.

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