choking (back)

verb

Definition of choking (back)next
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)
  1. stifling
  2. holding back
  3. suppressing
  4. swallowing
Verb
  • This is the third round of arrests linked to independent bookstores after similar operations in March and June that were widely seen as stifling dissent in the Asian financial hub.
    — Kanis Leung, Fortune, 16 July 2026
  • Odegaard’s composure and leadership on the ball enabled Norway to control possession for long stretches against England in the stifling heat of Miami.
    — Liam Twomey, New York Times, 16 July 2026
Definition of stifling
Verb
  • Many CEOs who run this experiment are surprised by how much intelligence the team had been holding back.
    — Janet M Harvey, Forbes.com, 10 July 2026
  • But that's not the only thing holding back first-time buyers.
    — Phaedra Trethan, USA Today, 7 July 2026
Definition of holding back
Verb
  • This prescription treatment works by suppressing ovarian hormone production while providing add-back hormones to help regulate the hormone levels and help manage symptoms over time.
    — Lauryn Higgins, Flow Space, 14 July 2026
  • And Syracuse University seemed more interested in suppressing news of a rape epidemic than solving it.
    — ProPublica, ProPublica, 14 July 2026
Definition of suppressing
Verb
  • Chewing involves biting or gnawing without necessarily swallowing.
    — Ryan Brennan, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 15 July 2026
  • Among our favorites are Quince’s airy linen midiskirt (available in petite sizes) and Abercrombie & Fitch’s high-rise cotton midi, which has a flowy silhouette that feels light without swallowing a shorter frame.
    — Malia Griggs, Glamour, 15 July 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
See all Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Choking (back).” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/choking%20%28back%29. Accessed 20 Jul. 2026.

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