as in to choke
to keep (someone) from breathing by exerting pressure on the windpipe I was so angry at what he was saying that I could have throttled him!

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Example Sentences

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.
Recent Examples of throttle Taking inspiration from the Chinese Communist Party, the Kremlin has sought to build a digital iron curtain, outlawing Instagram and Facebook and throttling YouTube, which nearly half of Russians over the age of 12 had previously used daily. Alexander Gabuev, Foreign Affairs, 17 Apr. 2025 In 2022, then-President Biden issued export controls on semiconductor companies, including crucial chipmakers like Nvidia and AMD, restricting sales of their most powerful hardware in the country, aimed at throttling China’s AI growth. Richard Nieva, Forbes.com, 10 Apr. 2025 Ending foreign military aid to Ukraine during a ceasefire would effectively allow Russia to rearm during a truce, while throttling Ukraine’s military buildup. Colin Meyn, The Hill, 18 Mar. 2025 The back-and-forth threatens to ignite a global trade war that could throttle economic growth prospects worldwide. Rob Wile, NBC News, 12 Mar. 2025 See All Example Sentences for throttle
Recent Examples of Synonyms for throttle
Verb
  • That includes allegations that in 2024, Burgin would consistently put his hands on her—scratching, choking her, and slamming her head into a wall.
    Victoria Uwumarogie, Essence, 19 May 2025
  • The girl, whose family identified her as Lily, was driven to a remote location on the night of May 3, where her ex-boyfriend then assaulted her, choked her and threw her from a moving vehicle, the Star-Telegram previously reported.
    Lillie Davidson, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 17 May 2025
Verb
  • Finally, things became so intense that Ishida developed a fascination for erotic asphyxiation, which is how Abe came to strangle him to death in a love hotel one night.
    Damon Wise, Deadline, 14 May 2025
  • Six children were allegedly beaten and strangled to the point of unconsciousness, among other forms of torture by their guardians and another adult at a Victorville home, with some of the abuse going back at least a decade, according to the San Bernardino County Sheriff’s Department.
    Nathan Solis, Los Angeles Times, 14 May 2025

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Cite this Entry

“Throttle.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/throttle. Accessed 22 May. 2025.

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