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

Synonyms & Similar Words

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Antonyms & Near Antonyms

Example Sentences

Recent Examples of Synonyms for choking (back)

Verb

Cubans strolled along el Paseo del Prado promenade in the inky night, desperate to escape the stifling heat of their homes.

— Romina Ruiz-Goiriena, USA Today, 6 July 2026
There was criticism from some Republicans, who said the commissioner had gone too far and was stifling free speech.

— Max Tani, semafor.com, 6 July 2026

Definition of stifling

Verb

But it hadn't been spotted in Lake Superior, leading researchers to speculate that water temperatures or other factors were holding back its spread there.

— Keith Matheny, Freep.com, 3 July 2026
What is holding back Europe’s rearmament push Building the capacity Europe needs to ensure strategic autonomy has proved difficult.

— Elsa Ohlen, CNBC, 1 July 2026

Definition of holding back

Verb

Communism is a system of government in which the ruling party controls major investment decisions while hoarding wealth for itself and suppressing all opposition.

— Jonathan Chait, The Atlantic, 8 July 2026
In his view, the Bank of Japan is suppressing bond yields to prevent interest costs on the debt pile from becoming unmanageable.

— Jason Ma, Fortune, 6 July 2026

Definition of suppressing

Verb

Stopa went on the run, later killing herself by swallowing poison in a Detroit hotel room.

— Kori Rumore, Chicago Tribune, 11 July 2026
Some of the ways a person can get infected is by drinking untreated water, washing or watering fresh produce with contaminated water, or swallowing contaminated water from swimming pools, hot tubs and lakes, according to Cleveland Clinic.

— Michelle Marchante July 10, Miami Herald, 10 July 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 13 Jul. 2026.

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Synonyms of choking (back)

verb

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