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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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
Police officers arrived at her Hollywood Hills home in Los Angeles and learned that the attackers had left the woman inside after allegedly smashing her jaw and choking her.
—
Francie Ebert, NBC news, 25 Apr. 2026
India’s economic activity accelerated in April despite the Middle East war choking supplies of crude oil and gas, a flash survey by HSBC Holdings Plc showed Thursday.
—Anup Roy, Bloomberg, 23 Apr. 2026
He was inspired to learn after watching a teacher use the method to help another student who was choking.
—Sam Gillette, People.com, 11 Mar. 2025
The garment got stuck around her neck but Spalding kept pulling, choking her.
—Graham Rayman, New York Daily News, 10 Mar. 2025
See All Example Sentences for choking
Francie Ebert, NBC news, 25 Apr. 2026
India’s economic activity accelerated in April despite the Middle East war choking supplies of crude oil and gas, a flash survey by HSBC Holdings Plc showed Thursday.
—Anup Roy, Bloomberg, 23 Apr. 2026
He was inspired to learn after watching a teacher use the method to help another student who was choking.
—Sam Gillette, People.com, 11 Mar. 2025
The garment got stuck around her neck but Spalding kept pulling, choking her.
—Graham Rayman, New York Daily News, 10 Mar. 2025
See All Example Sentences for choking
Recent Examples of Synonyms for choking
Verb
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After two days in court, a Massachusetts jury found Diggs, 32, not guilty on Tuesday, May 5 of assaulting and strangling the former employee, Mila Adams, according to reports from NBC and USA Today.—
Natasha Dye,
PEOPLE,
5 May 2026
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Horner told a false story about hitting the little girl with his van and then strangling her in a panic, according to testimony of the case’s lead investigator, Texas Ranger Job Espinoza.—
Amy McDaniel,
Fort Worth Star-Telegram,
4 May 2026
Verb
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Coco Gauff has advanced to the fourth round of the Madrid Open despite falling ill and vomiting on court.—
ABC News,
ABC News,
26 Apr. 2026
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If your dog is vomiting continuously, take your pet to the vet as soon as possible, The Bee reported.—
Stephanie Zappelli,
Sacbee.com,
23 Apr. 2026
Verb
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The folks at the YMCA of Metro Denver believe that drowning deaths are completely preventable.—
Libby Smith,
CBS News,
13 May 2026
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An autopsy later determined that Perry died from acute effects of ketamine, as well as other contributing factors such as drowning, coronary artery disease and effects from buprenorphine, a medication used to treat opioid use disorder.—
Christine Pelisek,
PEOPLE,
13 May 2026
Verb
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When a conversation shows patterns linked to common fraud tactics, users may receive prompts that explain the risk and suggest actions like blocking or reporting the account.—
Kurt Knutsson,
FOXNews.com,
8 May 2026
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Certain graphics on this page may be affected by ad-blocking software.—
Dom Luszczyszyn,
New York Times,
7 May 2026
Verb
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Eight people were arrested at the demonstration, Gothamist said, and were charged with resisting arrest, obstructing governmental administration, reckless endangerment and criminal mischief.—
Amethyst Martinez,
USA Today,
6 May 2026
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Guido Reichstadter was safely removed from the bridge and is charged with crowding, obstructing or incommoding, unlawful entry and failing to obey an officer, the Metropolitan Police Department (MPD) told Fox News Digital.—
Alexandra Koch,
FOXNews.com,
6 May 2026
Verb
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Two minutes later, the guitars have their own moment, jamming for more than a minute with Lewis’ vocals coming in only at the end.—
Tina Eves,
SPIN,
4 May 2026
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Darnell Nurse was committed almost entirely to jamming Gauthier’s shooting lane from the right circle.—
Andrew Knoll,
Oc Register,
1 May 2026
Verb
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There are a total of 16 slots carved into the wooden frame and the Wild are one-fourth of the way to filling it up heading in Game 3 of the second round against the Colorado Avalanche on Saturday night at Grand Casino Arena.—
Dane Mizutani,
Twin Cities,
8 May 2026
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And here's a story about how the United States is exporting oil at record levels, filling a global supply gap even as gas prices remain stubbornly high back home.—
Daniel de Visé,
USA Today,
7 May 2026
Cite this Entry
“Choking.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/choking. Accessed 15 May. 2026.
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