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
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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
Remember that smaller caps are a choking hazard.
—
Chris Baskind, Treehugger, 20 Jan. 2026
My kids are past the concerns about choking and drowning (although these hazards also exist for adults).
—Rahul Jandial, Parents, 18 Jan. 2026
The high salaries and the pension plan are choking the life out of this city.
—U T Readers, San Diego Union-Tribune, 17 Jan. 2026
Rummler appears to be choking, grasping at the jacket around his neck as blood pours from his left eye.
—Ruben Vives, Los Angeles Times, 16 Jan. 2026
See All Example Sentences for choking
Chris Baskind, Treehugger, 20 Jan. 2026
My kids are past the concerns about choking and drowning (although these hazards also exist for adults).
—Rahul Jandial, Parents, 18 Jan. 2026
The high salaries and the pension plan are choking the life out of this city.
—U T Readers, San Diego Union-Tribune, 17 Jan. 2026
Rummler appears to be choking, grasping at the jacket around his neck as blood pours from his left eye.
—Ruben Vives, Los Angeles Times, 16 Jan. 2026
See All Example Sentences for choking
Recent Examples of Synonyms for choking
Verb
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His criminal history included convictions for robbery, kidnapping and attempting to kill a corrections officer by strangling him.—
Grethel Aguila,
Miami Herald,
20 Jan. 2026
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The serial killers, later revealed to be cousins Kenneth Bianchi and Angelo Buono, were accused of kidnapping, raping and strangling 10 women between October 1977 and February 1978.—
Kelsey Lentz,
PEOPLE,
18 Jan. 2026
Verb
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In clinical trials, Nereus helped up to 90 percent of people prone to motion sickness avoid vomiting while riding on a boat.—
Emily Kay Votruba,
EverydayHealth.com,
8 Jan. 2026
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The predominant symptoms experienced by the ill passengers and crew members were vomiting, diarrhea and abdominal cramps.—
Marina Watts,
PEOPLE,
31 Dec. 2025
Verb
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Those that don’t will continue drowning in data while feeling increasingly blind.—
Tony Bradley,
Forbes.com,
28 Jan. 2026
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The body horror depicted in the 11-episode first season is a sight to behold, from botched facelifts to the varied beauty births, the season is drowning in blood, guts, vomit and an abundance of other unseemly bodily fluids.—
Aramide Tinubu,
Variety,
21 Jan. 2026
Verb
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Harper logged seven minutes across two shifts, blocking one shot.—
Zack Cox,
Boston Herald,
24 Jan. 2026
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Minnesota and the Twin Cities filed a lawsuit aimed at blocking the deployment of immigration agents.—
Zac Anderson,
USA Today,
23 Jan. 2026
Verb
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After attempting one-man rule and declaring martial law, he was judged guilty of obstructing democracy.—
Letters to the Editor,
The Orlando Sentinel,
21 Jan. 2026
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Charges related to animal cruelty and neglect, concealed carry of a weapon, obstructing official business and falsification are pending.—
Chad Murphy,
Cincinnati Enquirer,
21 Jan. 2026
Verb
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These would have involved aircraft for jamming operations, some surveillance, fighter jets to strike targets, and some to provide an escort for the helicopters bringing in a special forces unit and members of the FBI.—
R. Evan Ellis,
The Conversation,
4 Jan. 2026
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Is Mine Tour presented by Black Promoters Collective will also be jamming.—
Lisa Respers France,
CNN Money,
29 Dec. 2025
Verb
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With dogma filling school days, students aren’t being educated and are left intellectually unprepared for much but obedience.—
Richard Brody,
New Yorker,
23 Jan. 2026
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Working as an assistant in her sister-in-law’s empanada business, Cocson developed her own creation, filling the pastry with homemade longganisa sausage, shredded papaya, mung bean sprouts and an egg.—
Sean Timberlake,
Sacbee.com,
23 Jan. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Choking.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/choking. Accessed 31 Jan. 2026.
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