as in strangles
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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Recent Examples of throttles
Mansfield Legacy throttles Crowley Mansfield Legacy piled on the hits against Crowley Friday, seizing a 17-1 victory in a game that ended after three innings.
—
Charles Baggarly, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 11 Apr. 2026
Records could also be topped in Las Vegas and Phoenix through the weekend as the early-season desert heat wave throttles up.
—Doyle Rice, USA Today, 12 Mar. 2026
Health care costs have risen dramatically faster than the spending cap set by TABOR, which in turn throttles other aspects of the state budget.
—Seth Klamann, Denver Post, 14 Jan. 2026
Bills defense throttles Steelers offense Buffalo survived, little thanks to its offense.
—The Athletic Nfl Staff, New York Times, 1 Dec. 2025
As the West throttles its science, China is racing ahead.
—Michael Jäger, Boston Herald, 22 Nov. 2025
Charles Baggarly, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 11 Apr. 2026
Records could also be topped in Las Vegas and Phoenix through the weekend as the early-season desert heat wave throttles up.
—Doyle Rice, USA Today, 12 Mar. 2026
Health care costs have risen dramatically faster than the spending cap set by TABOR, which in turn throttles other aspects of the state budget.
—Seth Klamann, Denver Post, 14 Jan. 2026
Bills defense throttles Steelers offense Buffalo survived, little thanks to its offense.
—The Athletic Nfl Staff, New York Times, 1 Dec. 2025
As the West throttles its science, China is racing ahead.
—Michael Jäger, Boston Herald, 22 Nov. 2025
Recent Examples of Synonyms for throttles
Verb
-
As Iran strangles the Strait of Hormuz, countries have scrambled for alternative routes.—
Samy Magdy,
Los Angeles Times,
28 Mar. 2026
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As Grace looks on in horror, her soon-to-be husband strangles Ursula and snaps her neck.—
Louis Peitzman,
Vulture,
20 Mar. 2026
Verb
-
Jasmine almost chokes on her corn dog when that comes out of Janet’s mouth.—
Brian Moylan,
Vulture,
9 Apr. 2026
-
Then Leaphorn appears, knocks her down, and chokes her.—
Jordan Hoffman,
Entertainment Weekly,
6 Apr. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Throttles.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/throttles. Accessed 26 Apr. 2026.
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