1
as in strangling
to keep (someone) from breathing by exerting pressure on the windpipe
let go of my throat—you're choking me!
Synonyms & Similar Words
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Antonyms & Near Antonyms
2
as in vomiting
to experience complete or partial blockage of the windpipe
the recommended procedure for helping someone who is choking
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
3
as in drowning
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 blocking
to prevent passage through by filling with something
overgrown bushes choked the narrow alleyway between the buildings
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Antonyms & Near Antonyms
Example Sentences
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to
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Recent Examples of choking
Braddy’s criminal history included convictions for robbery, kidnapping and attempting to kill a corrections officer by choking him.
—
Grethel Aguila, Miami Herald, 30 Jan. 2026
Last month, the backslapping beat cop was off duty at his home in Elmont, in Nassau County, when a frantic neighbor ran up to his porch with her choking daughter.
—Barry Williams, New York Daily News, 29 Jan. 2026
Sure, some out there were robbing old people, choking people, robbing them, beating them up, taking their money, but Troy just wasn’t like that.
—Literary Hub, 28 Jan. 2026
The maneuver uses abdominal thrusts to clear the airway of the person choking.
—Virginia Chamlee, PEOPLE, 27 Jan. 2026
See All Example Sentences for choking
Grethel Aguila, Miami Herald, 30 Jan. 2026
Last month, the backslapping beat cop was off duty at his home in Elmont, in Nassau County, when a frantic neighbor ran up to his porch with her choking daughter.
—Barry Williams, New York Daily News, 29 Jan. 2026
Sure, some out there were robbing old people, choking people, robbing them, beating them up, taking their money, but Troy just wasn’t like that.
—Literary Hub, 28 Jan. 2026
The maneuver uses abdominal thrusts to clear the airway of the person choking.
—Virginia Chamlee, PEOPLE, 27 Jan. 2026
See All Example Sentences for choking
Recent Examples of Synonyms for choking
Verb
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Reuters reported that the medals featured a safety clip, intended to snap off when pulled forcefully to prevent the ribbon from strangling.—
Juliana Kim,
NPR,
12 Feb. 2026
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The Federal Reserve is handcuffed, unable to cut rates without reigniting inflation, yet unable to hold them without strangling growth.—
Katica Roy,
Fortune,
10 Feb. 2026
Verb
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People can experience stomach cramping, nausea, diarrhea or vomiting within 24 hours after ingesting a toxic mushroom and the situation can quickly deteriorate after that, experts say.—
Arkansas Online,
Arkansas Online,
8 Feb. 2026
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People can have stomach cramping, nausea, diarrhea or vomiting within 24 hours after ingesting a toxic mushroom and the situation can quickly deteriorate after that, experts say.—
CBS News,
CBS News,
7 Feb. 2026
Verb
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Properly extinguish outdoor fires by drowning them with plenty of water, and never leave a fire unattended.—
Cooper Worth,
Des Moines Register,
18 Feb. 2026
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But now that regulations are here, brands and suppliers alike are drowning in it.—
Tara Donaldson,
Vogue,
16 Feb. 2026
Verb
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Millions of dollars in federal funds were set to flow once again to the Hudson River Tunnel Thursday night, after a federal court order blocking the bucks expired.—
Evan Simko-Bednarski,
New York Daily News,
13 Feb. 2026
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While the popularity of these app-blocking devices increases (Novelli said the company has sold more than 60,000), questions remain about their efficacy when the people who buy them are mainly discovering the devices through the internet—and talking about them on social media.—
Marco Quiroz-Gutierrez,
Fortune,
13 Feb. 2026
Verb
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Intentionally obstructing the roadway, especially while impeding emergency access, is a misdemeanor in Minnesota, as is being a public nuisance by blocking the right-of-way.—
Mia Cathell,
The Washington Examiner,
13 Feb. 2026
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Brad Lander is headed to trial on May 11, accused of obstructing the use of a foyer at 26 Federal Plaza at a protest over conditions in hidden holding cells where migrants are detained, a judge ruled Thursday.—
Molly Crane-Newman,
New York Daily News,
12 Feb. 2026
Verb
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His late-season struggles could be partly attributed to jamming his left knee while making a play near the right-field wall at Yankee Stadium on July 25.—
Charlotte Varnes,
New York Times,
12 Feb. 2026
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Harvey capped the scoring by driving in from the left point and beating Braendli by jamming in the puck on the short side.—
John Wawrow,
Twin Cities,
10 Feb. 2026
Verb
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Before a fast, focus on filling up with fiber, fat and protein to sustain your body with energy during low-intake periods.—
Nicole Fallert,
USA Today,
13 Feb. 2026
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Thank you to all the countries that are filling the PURL program.—
Washington Examiner Staff,
The Washington Examiner,
12 Feb. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Choking.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/choking. Accessed 20 Feb. 2026.
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