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
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In New York, a broader proposal to ban masks on the subway drew criticism about stifling protests.—
Idaho Statesman,
Idaho Statesman,
16 Jan. 2026 -
Then, on the other end, the Longhorns' stifling defense often caused turnovers, forcing the Gamecocks to look for their third or fourth option on the floor.—
Zoe Collins Rath,
Austin American Statesman,
16 Jan. 2026
Verb
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In court filings and a hearing earlier Friday, the states contended that the government did not have a legal reason for holding back the money from those states.—
Geoff Mulvihill,
Twin Cities,
10 Jan. 2026
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Former New York City Mayor Eric Adams isn’t holding back in his response to Andy Cohen‘s criticism during Wednesday night’s CNN’s New Year’s Eve Live special with Anderson Cooper.—
Lexi Carson,
HollywoodReporter,
2 Jan. 2026
Verb
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There’s plenty to like about both veteran pitchers and reason to believe that competing in a home run-suppressing environment will allow their attributes to play up.—
Andrew Baggarly,
New York Times,
6 Jan. 2026
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Foulk argued Barrett was suppressing evidence by preventing the state from presenting certain tax returns and Illinois Department of Revenue testimony.—
Addison Wright,
Chicago Tribune,
6 Jan. 2026
Verb
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Symptoms can include abdominal pain or discomfort, blurred or double vision, dilated pupils, dizziness, drooping eyelid, dry or sore throat, facial muscle paralysis, nausea or vomiting, swollen belly, and trouble swallowing and speaking.—
Michele Laufik,
Martha Stewart,
20 Jan. 2026
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For dry mouth, dipping food in sauce or gravy and sipping water throughout the day may help with swallowing.—
Stephanie Brown,
PEOPLE,
20 Jan. 2026
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Cite this Entry
“Choking (back).” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/choking%20%28back%29. Accessed 23 Jan. 2026.
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