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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Example Sentences

Recent Examples of Synonyms for choking (back)

Verb

Several horses collapsed from heat exhaustion after competing in stifling heat in the middle of the day during the cross-country phase of the eventing.

— Danielle Rossingh, New York Times, 21 Aug. 2026
Employees hide saved time to avoid more work or scrutiny, stifling innovation.

— Barnaby Lashbrooke, Forbes.com, 21 Aug. 2026

Definition of stifling

Verb

Soaring prices stemming from the conflict have forced African countries to keep interest rates elevated, holding back growth and adding to already high borrowing costs.

— Alexander Onukwue, semafor.com, 17 Aug. 2026
Marsh was a fearless critic, rarely holding back even with his most caustic and controversial views.

— Andy Greene, Rolling Stone, 15 Aug. 2026

Definition of holding back

Verb

Some popular advice suggests parents on appetite-suppressing medication simply not talk about it or offer vague statements about taking care of their health.

— CNN Money, CNN Money, 17 Aug. 2026
In that sense, emotional intelligence becomes less about suppressing feelings than directing them productively.

— Rodger Dean Duncan, Forbes.com, 13 Aug. 2026

Definition of suppressing

Verb

Multiple generations of families died at Jonestown—grandmothers administered the deadly concoction to their screaming grandchildren before swallowing it themselves.

— James Kirchick, The Atlantic, 13 Aug. 2026
Its boxy fit was effortlessly slouchy without swallowing my frame, and its 100 percent cotton fabric felt thick, durable, and cool to the touch.

— Averi Baudler, PEOPLE, 13 Aug. 2026

Definition of swallowing

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.

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 23 Aug. 2026.

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Synonyms of choking (back)

verb

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