choke

1
as in to strangle
to keep (someone) from breathing by exerting pressure on the windpipe let go of my throat—you're choking me!

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2
as in to vomit
to experience complete or partial blockage of the windpipe the recommended procedure for helping someone who is choking

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Antonyms & Near Antonyms

3
as in to suffocate
to be or cause to be killed by lack of breathable air thick, black smoke choked the trapped firefighters

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4

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 choke Toxic red tide has choked areas such as Charlotte Harbor and Tampa Bay, leaving untold numbers of fish, dolphins and manatees dead. Bethany Barnes, Sun Sentinel, 9 Apr. 2025 But prosperity does not mean choking to death in one’s own home or depriving a child of cognitive capacity. Zoë Schlanger, The Atlantic, 9 Apr. 2025 This hazard, hard plastic, and many other physical hazards such as metal and rocks/stones can cause illness or injury to the consumer, including laceration, cuts to the tongue or gum, perforation, occlusion (choking), typically occurring immediately or shortly after consumption. John W. Dean, MSNBC Newsweek, 7 Apr. 2025 But its navy controlled enough of the Black Sea to blockade Ukrainian ports, choking the country’s economy and threatening global food security because Ukraine is a major grain exporter. Constant Méheut, New York Times, 7 Apr. 2025 See All Example Sentences for choke
Recent Examples of Synonyms for choke
Verb
  • Earlier this year, audio was released from 2022, where Majors admitted to having strangled his partner at the time.
    DeMicia Inman, VIBE.com, 9 Apr. 2025
  • Holder was found strangled and stabbed in the throat at a coin laundry, just eight months before Acosta was killed.
    Grethel Aguila, Miami Herald, 8 Apr. 2025
Verb
  • Then, one day in early December of the same year, Walker, who was in high school at the time, remembers lying in bed after being awake all night, vomiting and dealing with diarrhea.
    Jordan Greene, People.com, 11 Apr. 2025
  • Pets may appear lethargic, exhibit loss of appetite, vomit or have diarrhea.
    David Faris, MSNBC Newsweek, 11 Apr. 2025
Verb
  • According to prosecutors, Correa and others beat detainees with pipes, burned them with molten plastic and acid, shocked them with electricity and suffocated them with plastic bags.
    Gordon G. Chang, MSNBC Newsweek, 8 Apr. 2025
  • UConn suffocated a Gamecocks offense limited in options and carved up the defending champion’s aggressive defense.
    Marcus Thompson II, New York Times, 7 Apr. 2025
Verb
  • Instead, block unwanted calls and messages and refuse to provide financial information in response to an unexpected request.
    The Editorial Board, Chicago Tribune, 14 Apr. 2025
  • In contrast, saucer feeders allow the hummingbird to use its long tongue, as long as bees don’t enter and block the ports.
    Arricca Elin SanSone, Southern Living, 14 Apr. 2025
Verb
  • He got thrown into a hot spot in December, however, against Cleveland after Jerry Jeudy spent much of a Monday night game throttling veteran Levi Wallace.
    Parker Gabriel, Denver Post, 1 Apr. 2025
  • The rocket's nine engines, burning a mix of liquid propane and liquid oxygen, throttled up to generate more than 150,000 pounds (675 kilonewtons) of thrust as Spectrum began a vertical climb from the launch pad.
    Stephen Clark, ArsTechnica, 31 Mar. 2025
Verb
  • Steer clear of puddles - Driving into puddles or low areas of rainwater can cause vehicles to hydroplane or skid out of control. Don't tail large vehicles closely - Trucks or buses can kick up a water spray that obstructs visibility.
    STAR-TELEGRAM WEATHER BOT, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 20 Apr. 2025
  • Burroughs was fired from the department and charged with making a false police report, obstructing justice, breaking and entering a motor vehicle and possession of heroin, marijuana and methamphetamine.
    Julia Coin, Charlotte Observer, 18 Apr. 2025
Verb
  • The crowd jammed into the old mill are joined by West African ceremonial dancers and drummers, popping and locking hip-hop movers from the future, a deejay working turntables and a Rick James-style guitarist bedecked in sequins.
    David Rooney, HollywoodReporter, 10 Apr. 2025
  • Military and governmental telecom satellites have long been protected by encryption and special waveforms that are resistant to jamming and interception.
    Tereza Pultarova, Space.com, 7 Apr. 2025

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Cite this Entry

“Choke.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/choke. Accessed 25 Apr. 2025.

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