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

The worm, however impossible to miss, is shoved, bumped, and pushed around with everyone else in the stifling subway car.

— Deadline, Deadline, 14 Oct. 2026
The Canal+ Group’s shuttering of the Showmax streaming service earlier this year was just the latest example of how a distribution chokepoint is stifling Africa’s creative boom.

— Christopher Vourlias, Variety, 13 Oct. 2026

Definition of stifling

Verb

Embracing uncertainty does not mean ignoring danger, suppressing disappointment or insisting that every setback is positive.

— ABC News, ABC News, 17 Oct. 2026
In addition to suppressing screen tearing, the Pro upgrade adds color and luminance certification as well as HDR compatibility.

— Zackery Cuevas, PC Magazine, 15 Oct. 2026

Definition of suppressing

Verb

By institutional convention, such a show would unfold chronologically; but as its curator, the Native designer Brian Johnson, notes, time is a snake swallowing its own tail.

— Tessa Solomon, ARTnews.com, 15 Oct. 2026
The Medicare Advantage and D-SNP list drops authorization for speech and language treatment, group speech treatment, swallowing dysfunction and spinal chiropractic manipulation.

— JP Montoya, Forbes.com, 13 Oct. 2026

Definition of swallowing

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.

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 20 Oct. 2026.

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Synonyms of choking (back)

verb

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