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
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Recent Examples of choking
Hospital staff later found her husband choking and struggling to breathe.
—
Peter Elkind, ProPublica, 9 Apr. 2026
If scaled up, the plastic currently choking landfills could help sustainably produce fuel.
—Mrigakshi Dixit, Interesting Engineering, 9 Apr. 2026
Skaggs, 27, snorted the pill and died in a Texas hotel room on July 1, 2019, choking on his own vomit.
—Steve Henson, Los Angeles Times, 7 Apr. 2026
The thick and choking ash cloud covered the northern part of Colorado Springs after a wind shift.
—Michael Abeyta, CBS News, 5 Apr. 2026
See All Example Sentences for choking
Peter Elkind, ProPublica, 9 Apr. 2026
If scaled up, the plastic currently choking landfills could help sustainably produce fuel.
—Mrigakshi Dixit, Interesting Engineering, 9 Apr. 2026
Skaggs, 27, snorted the pill and died in a Texas hotel room on July 1, 2019, choking on his own vomit.
—Steve Henson, Los Angeles Times, 7 Apr. 2026
The thick and choking ash cloud covered the northern part of Colorado Springs after a wind shift.
—Michael Abeyta, CBS News, 5 Apr. 2026
See All Example Sentences for choking
Recent Examples of Synonyms for choking
Verb
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The emerging uproar could prove costly for Swalwell if his fundraising dries up, strangling his ability to run campaign ads, or if unions and other groups that endorsed his campaign begin to retract their decisions.—
ABC News,
ABC News,
10 Apr. 2026
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Horner, a former FedEx driver who abducted the child while delivering a package to her home, told a false story about hitting the little girl with his truck and then strangling her in a panic, Espinoza testified.—
Amy McDaniel,
Fort Worth Star-Telegram,
10 Apr. 2026
Verb
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Well, not stopping at one drink, or 10, and then vomiting on Katy's foot was the answer.—
Edward Segarra,
USA Today,
17 Apr. 2026
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Lopman’s son Ruben was suffering from severe dehydration from rotavirus, one of the most common causes of diarrhea and vomiting in babies and children.—
Lauren Dunn,
NBC news,
15 Apr. 2026
Verb
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In response to a question about how Baltimore Police handle missing persons investigations and reports of drowning around the waterfront, spokesperson Lindsey Eldridge pointed The Sun toward the department’s public policy on missing person investigations.—
Lily Carey,
Baltimore Sun,
15 Apr. 2026
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In 1984, Lynn's eldest son, Jack Benny Lynn, died at the age of 34 in a drowning accident while attempting to cross a river on horseback at the family's ranch in Hurricane Mills.—
Virginia Chamlee,
PEOPLE,
14 Apr. 2026
Verb
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Some 20 Republicans joined most Democrats in blocking its advance.—
ABC News,
ABC News,
17 Apr. 2026
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Human Rights Watch said authorities have taken sweeping steps to curb religious practice, including tearing down churches and crosses, blocking gatherings at unregistered churches and seizing religious materials not approved by the state.—
Greg Wehner,
FOXNews.com,
17 Apr. 2026
Verb
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Russian sage adds both height and texture to gardens without obstructing the view of the plants behind it, thanks to its airy appearance.—
SJ McShane,
Martha Stewart,
16 Apr. 2026
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Joshua Mills, 32, was sentenced Thursday to five to 20 years in prison on one count of assault with intent to do great bodily harm and received an additional two to four years for two counts of resisting, obstructing or assaulting a police officer and one year for second-degree retail fraud.—
Joseph Buczek,
CBS News,
16 Apr. 2026
Verb
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Springsteen sat in the front row, but spent a large portion of the night delivering speeches and jamming with the inductees.—
Andy Greene,
Rolling Stone,
19 Apr. 2026
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For them, jamming serves as a useful edge case.—
Matt von Hippel,
Quanta Magazine,
17 Apr. 2026
Verb
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Seeing a gap and filling the need, when the Boston Marathon was canceled for the first time in its history, PRC decided to host their own marathon.—
Courtney Cole,
CBS News,
18 Apr. 2026
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Experts say consumers can benefit from comparing prices before filling up, using apps or local knowledge to find cheaper options.—
Kelly McGreal,
FOXNews.com,
17 Apr. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Choking.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/choking. Accessed 21 Apr. 2026.
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