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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During her run as a privateering vessel, the Dash and other ships like her were regarded as a sort of sea militia working for the United States against a stifling British blockade of New England ports.—
Leanna Renee Hieber,
Big Think,
2 Oct. 2025 -
The Real Betis players seemed intent on stifling his influence by kicking him, with Anderson fouled five times — as many as any other player.—
Paul Taylor,
New York Times,
2 Oct. 2025
Verb
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The Queen of Wands shows up to encourage you to embody your charisma, creativity, and leadership without holding back.—
Meghan Rose,
Glamour,
1 Oct. 2025
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Grande, a Florida native, quickly took notice, sharing a clip of Lipa’s cover on her Instagram Story and adding a face holding back tears emoji in appreciation.—
Mitchell Peters,
Billboard,
28 Sep. 2025
Verb
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As Madison anticipated, the First Amendment wasn’t a cure for a government bent on suppressing dissent.—
Donald Nieman,
The Conversation,
7 Oct. 2025
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By suppressing appetite, the drug can help induce weight loss.—
Surina Venkat,
The Hill,
3 Oct. 2025
Verb
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Nearly 3,000 growing chasms have opened up in dozens of towns, swallowing up roads and houses in their path.—
New Atlas,
New Atlas,
2 Oct. 2025
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The little girl also had trouble swallowing for a couple of days afterward, her mother said.—
Harriet Ramos,
Fort Worth Star-Telegram,
25 Sep. 2025
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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 9 Oct. 2025.
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