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
In one instance, Langan performed a medical procedure involving a stomach tube that caused a patient to suffer severe complications including choking, vomiting, loss of consciousness and aspiration pneumonia.
—
Amber Gaudet, Charlotte Observer, 28 May 2026
In his letter, Beyer argued that the planned structure, which will sit adjacent to Arlington Memorial Bridge, risks choking traffic for commuters entering the District from Virginia, particularly during rush hour and major public events.
—Claire Carter, The Washington Examiner, 27 May 2026
Referees can be seen waving a frantic conclusion to the proceedings just as one fighter is choking another to the point of blackout.
—David Remnick, New Yorker, 22 May 2026
The vast majority of people in Pompeii and Herculaneum—the cities hardest hit—perished from asphyxiation, choking on the thick clouds of noxious gas and ash.
—ArsTechnica, 18 May 2026
See All Example Sentences for choking
Amber Gaudet, Charlotte Observer, 28 May 2026
In his letter, Beyer argued that the planned structure, which will sit adjacent to Arlington Memorial Bridge, risks choking traffic for commuters entering the District from Virginia, particularly during rush hour and major public events.
—Claire Carter, The Washington Examiner, 27 May 2026
Referees can be seen waving a frantic conclusion to the proceedings just as one fighter is choking another to the point of blackout.
—David Remnick, New Yorker, 22 May 2026
The vast majority of people in Pompeii and Herculaneum—the cities hardest hit—perished from asphyxiation, choking on the thick clouds of noxious gas and ash.
—ArsTechnica, 18 May 2026
See All Example Sentences for choking
Recent Examples of Synonyms for choking
Verb
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Now the road blocks strangling La Paz have entered their fourth week.—
ABC News,
ABC News,
27 May 2026
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Prosecutors accuse Farwell of strangling Birchmore to death in February 2021 inside her Canton apartment.—
Matt Schooley,
CBS News,
26 May 2026
Verb
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If your dog’s panting is accompanied by episodes of collapse, pale or blue-tinged gums, inability to walk, vomiting, or not eating, take it to an emergency clinic immediately.—
The Washington Post,
San Diego Union-Tribune,
30 May 2026
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Clarke recalled crawling to the bathroom and vomiting from the pain before realizing something was seriously wrong.—
Virginia Chamlee,
PEOPLE,
29 May 2026
Verb
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In a skeptical market drowning in content and choice, the only sustainable strategy is being the most helpful person in the room—not the loudest or the pushiest.—
William DeCourcy,
Forbes.com,
1 June 2026
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In 2022, at a meeting of the Council of Europe, a human-rights organization, Infantino suggested that holding the World Cup more often might prevent so many African refugees from drowning in the Mediterranean.—
Sam Knight,
New Yorker,
1 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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Movie theaters across the nation were jamming with Gen Z crowds, who showed up en masse for not one but two buzzy horror films.—
Rebecca Rubin,
Variety,
31 May 2026
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Acknowledging the growing threat of Ukraine’s deep strikes, Russian lawmakers this week approved a bill that says the country’s banks should bear the cost of installing drone-jamming systems on their premises, rather than rely on the military.—
Los Angeles Times,
Los Angeles Times,
29 May 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 5 Jun. 2026.
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