CHOKING (BACK) Synonyms: 28 Similar and Opposite Words

choking (back)

verb

Definition of choking (back)

present participle of choke (back)

as in stifling

to refrain from openly showing or uttering choked back a sarcastic reply to an insulting question

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Recent Examples of Synonyms for choking (back)

Verb

The Democratic governor has acknowledged the challenge of adopting regulations that protect the public without going too far and potentially stifling the technology industry’s growth, which brings critical revenue to the state budget.

— Queenie Wong, Los Angeles Times, 1 Sep. 2026
On Monday, facing the stifling defense of the second-place Golden State Valkyries, Miles shot three of twelve from the field and gave up four turnovers.

— Louisa Thomas, New Yorker, 30 Aug. 2026

Definition of stifling

Verb

Nine weeks before the midterms, House Republicans aren’t holding back their criticism of the president’s latest tariff moves.

— Eleanor Mueller, semafor.com, 3 Sep. 2026
In 2023, thawing permafrost led to a rock collapse into South Lhonak Lake in Sikkim, India, generating a wave that burst through the moraine holding back the glacial lake.

— Umesh Haritashya, The Conversation, 29 Aug. 2026

Definition of holding back

Verb

The party is often lauded for steering the tiny nation toward economic prosperity but has also been criticized for suppressing dissent.

— John Liu, CNN Money, 9 Sep. 2026
These could be damming a river, suppressing natural wildfires, or suppressing beaver damage.

— Stephen Underwood, Hartford Courant, 7 Sep. 2026

Definition of suppressing

Verb

As Silicon Valley remakes the world yet again, swallowing up our water and spiking our electricity bills, homelessness remains endemic to that region of California.

— Piper French, The New York Review of Books, 5 Sep. 2026
Officials added that people cannot become infected with Naegleria fowleri by swallowing contaminated water; however, the amoeba can enter the body when it is forcefully introduced, such as through the nose into the brain.

— Angel Saunders, PEOPLE, 2 Sep. 2026

Definition of swallowing

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Browse Nearby Words

choking

choking (back)

choking off

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“Choking (back).” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/choking%20%28back%29. Accessed 12 Sep. 2026.

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Synonyms of choking (back)

verb

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