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
-
The space was stifling in the Louisiana heat, so fans were blowing for everyone inside.—
Luke Chinman,
PEOPLE,
31 Oct. 2025 -
Like the face-to-face collaboration benefits lost at GISS, employees fear shutting down Goddard's cafeteria will be stifling.—
Josh Dinner,
Space.com,
31 Oct. 2025
Verb
-
Clarke, executive director of the security research nonprofit The Soufan Center, says authorities may be holding back details to protect a potential prosecution.—
Alaa Elassar,
CNN Money,
3 Nov. 2025
-
But Cooper isn't holding back anymore.—
David Oliver,
USA Today,
28 Oct. 2025
Verb
-
The White House’s efforts to centralize federal grantmaking, restrict free speech, erase public data and expand surveillance mirror China’s successful playbook for building scientific capacity while suppressing dissent.—
Kenneth M. Evans,
The Conversation,
3 Nov. 2025
-
The basic idea is that oxidative stress is a signal that tells your body to adapt and get stronger, so suppressing that signal by taking antioxidants results in less training adaptation.—
Alex Hutchinson,
Outside,
29 Oct. 2025
Verb
-
Staying hydrated is the most important part of care, since mouth sores can make swallowing painful and dehydration can develop quickly in young children.—
Katia Hetter,
CNN Money,
29 Oct. 2025
-
These symptoms include rash, itching, respiratory trouble, swollen tongue, trouble swallowing and chest tightness.—
Desiree Anello,
PEOPLE,
25 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 6 Nov. 2025.
Copy CitationLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
Share