as in stifling
to refrain from openly showing or uttering
choked back a sarcastic reply to an insulting question
Synonyms & Similar Words
Relevance
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
Example Sentences
Recent Examples of Synonyms for choking (back)
Verb
-
Instead of letting the quality or design speak for itself, brands relied heavily on their own logos or experiences, stifling their innovation in the process.—
Emma Burleigh,
Fortune,
16 Oct. 2025 -
Advertisement Advancing not stifling creativity Kakul Srivastava, CEO of music-sample marketplace Splice, delivered the next toast, which honored human creativity and emphasized the importance of technology that enables rather than restricts it.—
Zoe Corbyn,
Time,
14 Oct. 2025
Verb
-
The New York Jets are 0-6, and their star receiver is not holding back his frustrations.—
Scott Thompson,
FOXNews.com,
12 Oct. 2025
-
The precise mechanics now accepted as holding back player development in the States — the pay-to-play model at youth level, the limitations of MLS — were not really considered.—
Michael Cox,
New York Times,
11 Oct. 2025
Verb
-
Pocketbook issues – high prices of goods, inflation and possible weakening in the labor market – are suppressing sentiment.—
Joanne Hsu,
The Conversation,
10 Oct. 2025
-
This group includes patients undergoing cancer treatment, transplant recipients and individuals taking immune-suppressing medications.—
Katia Hetter,
CNN Money,
8 Oct. 2025
Verb
-
Live little fish on our tongues and swallowing them.—
Jon Blistein,
Rolling Stone,
14 Oct. 2025
-
The platform has evolved into the default center of gravity for the creator economy, swallowing categories like music, gaming, education, and now podcasts.—
Nicholas Quah,
Vulture,
14 Oct. 2025
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.
Cite this Entry
“Choking (back).” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/choking%20%28back%29. Accessed 19 Oct. 2025.
Copy CitationLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
Share