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
Relevance
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
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
Example Sentences
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Recent Examples of choking
Agnello is accused of slapping and punching the woman multiple times before allegedly choking her, police said.
—
Aaron Katersky, ABC News, 4 June 2026
When the off-duty flight attendant reached over to grip the bag, Reyes grabbed his head and began choking him, the affidavit states.
—Shira Moolten, Sun Sentinel, 3 June 2026
Now she is stuck with three long term leases choking her cash flow like a noose around her neck.
—George Deeb, Forbes.com, 30 May 2026
Keaton’s friend, director Dennis Dugan, was at risk of choking to death when a bit of food got lodged in his throat.
—Skyler Trepel, Entertainment Weekly, 30 May 2026
See All Example Sentences for choking
Aaron Katersky, ABC News, 4 June 2026
When the off-duty flight attendant reached over to grip the bag, Reyes grabbed his head and began choking him, the affidavit states.
—Shira Moolten, Sun Sentinel, 3 June 2026
Now she is stuck with three long term leases choking her cash flow like a noose around her neck.
—George Deeb, Forbes.com, 30 May 2026
Keaton’s friend, director Dennis Dugan, was at risk of choking to death when a bit of food got lodged in his throat.
—Skyler Trepel, Entertainment Weekly, 30 May 2026
See All Example Sentences for choking
Recent Examples of Synonyms for choking
Verb
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Prosecutors declined to file charges and Saenz was later granted a permanent restraining order against that ex-boyfriend, according to court records, after he was convicted of battering and strangling her.—
Shira Moolten,
Sun Sentinel,
4 June 2026
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The Idaho case and many others — including a 2024 dorm room strangling and a 1990 Florida college town serial killer who inspired the Scream franchise — reflect the far-reaching effects of these crimes.—
Corin Cesaric,
PEOPLE,
2 June 2026
Verb
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The pulses are designed to normalize the nerve messaging from the brain to the stomach to relieve symptoms of nausea and vomiting without side effects.—
ABC News,
ABC News,
6 June 2026
-
Later that night, Beanz started vomiting.—
Sacbee.com,
Sacbee.com,
1 June 2026
Verb
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Big surf from a previous swell contributed to a drowning Saturday off Dana Point and, on Wednesday afternoon, the search continued for a young girl swept off the sand Tuesday evening in Laguna Beach.—
Laylan Connelly,
Oc Register,
11 June 2026
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Political experts contend that messages that seem contradictory to a candidate’s background, as well as drowning voters with incessant ads, can be jarring and off-putting to the electorate.—
Seema Mehta,
Los Angeles Times,
10 June 2026
Verb
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The additions of Kadyn Proctor along the offensive line and blocking tight end Will Kacmarek almost certainly affirmed that.—
Miami Herald,
Miami Herald,
29 May 2026
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Over the following hours, the moon will pass directly in front of the red supergiant star, briefly blocking its light in an event that astronomers refer to as an occultation, according to the astronomy website In-the-Sky.—
Anthony Wood,
Space.com,
29 May 2026
Verb
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The decision comes a year after 23-year-old Samson Allen appealed his guilty verdict of resisting and obstructing police.—
Rose Evans
Updated May 29,
Idaho Statesman,
29 May 2026
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Comey was first indicted last September by a federal grand jury in Virginia on one count of making a false statement and one count of obstructing a congressional proceeding in connection with his testimony before a Senate committee in September 2020.—
Josh Meyer,
USA Today,
28 May 2026
Verb
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Instead of the upbeat dance tune on the original recording, Kesha slowed it down, jamming along on an electric guitar with a deeper and booming instrumental track blaring throughout the venue.—
Joseph Hernandez,
Kansas City Star,
4 June 2026
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From a tactical standpoint, the fort is unlikely to deter Hezbollah’s new crop of attack drones, which rely on fiber-optic cables and are impervious to jamming.—
Nabih Bulos,
Los Angeles Times,
1 June 2026
Verb
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Finally, allow the solution to come to room temperature before filling your feeders.—
Rita Pelczar,
Better Homes & Gardens,
29 May 2026
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Such scandals have put the spotlight on a murky (and growing) world of speculative, 24/7 transactions now filling the internet.—
Wyatte Grantham-Philips,
Fortune,
29 May 2026
Cite this Entry
“Choking.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/choking. Accessed 12 Jun. 2026.
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