CHOKING Synonyms: 69 Similar and Opposite Words

choking

verb

Definition of choking

present participle of choke

as in strangling

to keep (someone) from breathing by exerting pressure on the windpipe let go of my throat—you're choking me!

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Antonyms & Near Antonyms

as in vomiting

to experience complete or partial blockage of the windpipe the recommended procedure for helping someone who is choking

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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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as in blocking

to prevent passage through by filling with something overgrown bushes choked the narrow alleyway between the buildings

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Example Sentences

Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.

Recent Examples of choking Potential choking hazards such as loose beads or strings should also be avoided. — Adam Harrington, CBS News, 28 Oct. 2026 Lonna Drewes accused Swalwell of drugging, raping and choking her in 2018 during a news conference earlier this year. — Richard Winton, Los Angeles Times, 27 Oct. 2026 Josh Allen or Lamar Jackson choking in the playoffs is also quite enjoyable. — Jesse Newell, New York Times, 26 Oct. 2026 And how about the Colts choking yesterday against the TITANS of all teams? — Zach Dean Outkick, FOXNews.com, 19 Oct. 2026 Among those arrested were individuals accused of choking their partners and assaulting their children, the sheriff’s office said. — Tanya Babbar, Houston Chronicle, 16 Oct. 2026 Biddy covered most of the journey on foot—the equivalent of about six million steps—herding animals at the rear of her owner’s wagon company and choking her way through a moving screen of dust kicked up by the migrant caravan. — Literary Hub, 15 Oct. 2026 On top of store closures and unsold inventory, the company was choking on enormous debt from a private equity buyout in 2014. — Phil Wahba, Fortune, 10 Oct. 2026 Loud persistent snoring, sudden gasping or choking for air, waking with a dry mouth and breathing pauses a partner usually notices first. — Samantha Agate, Charlotte Observer, 23 Sep. 2026

Recent Examples of Synonyms for choking

Verb

Horsch in one book described strangling a woman and disposing of her body with a chemical process.

— Joe Holden, CBS News, 21 Oct. 2026
Wandering further afield, Wright recounts the case of Walker Railey, a Methodist minister accused of strangling his wife and leaving her in a vegetative state.

— Los Angeles Times, Los Angeles Times, 20 Oct. 2026

Definition of strangling

Verb

On the surface, his new album Antione’s Son is the same old same old—airy melodies, drug talk, vomiting ad-libs—but punched up by suburban ennui and in-the-weeds romantic tales that makes the music feel refreshingly personal.

— Alphonse Pierre, Pitchfork, 21 Oct. 2026
Robertson said that about two days later, her daughter started vomiting, developed a high fever, and had severe diarrhea.

— Erin Jones, CBS News, 6 Oct. 2026

Definition of vomiting

Verb

The federal agency also warned that obstructing immigration officers is a federal crime.

— Sacbee.com, Sacbee.com, 22 Oct. 2026
During the investigation, it was alleged that Stewart, who is a resident, returned to the property and was later taken into custody for obstructing a peace officer.

— Jeramie Bizzle, CBS News, 20 Oct. 2026

Definition of obstructing

Verb

Matas Buzelis beat him to the punch, tearing the ball out of the air and jamming it back into the basket with a dunk.

— Julia Poe, Chicago Tribune, 29 Oct. 2026
Designed to resist electronic interference Modern naval sensors must contend with electronic warfare, including jamming attempts to disrupt radar signals.

— Kaif Shaikh, Interesting Engineering, 28 Oct. 2026

Definition of jamming

Verb

Each has assumed a new place of influence within the Democratic Party over the last two years, filling a power vacuum created by President Joe Biden’s exit from the political stage.

— David Sivak, The Washington Examiner, 28 Oct. 2026
The group remains as relevant as ever, filling venues around the world and receiving accolades such as the 2026 Billboard Latin Music Award for Latin Pop Artist of the Year, Duo or Group.

— Sigal Ratner-Arias, Billboard, 27 Oct. 2026