1
2
3
as in to suffocate
to be or cause to be killed by lack of breathable air
thick, black smoke choked the trapped firefighters
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
4
as in to block
to prevent passage through by filling with something
overgrown bushes choked the narrow alleyway between the buildings
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
Example Sentences
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Recent Examples of choke
In his letter, Beyer argued that the planned structure, which will sit adjacent to Arlington Memorial Bridge, risks choking traffic for commuters entering the District from Virginia, particularly during rush hour and major public events.
—
Claire Carter, The Washington Examiner, 27 May 2026
A little more than a month earlier, records state Spencer choked, hit, and threatened to kill his wife after questioning her about withdrawing money from a bank for their painting business.
—Jim Turner, Sun Sentinel, 26 May 2026
The highlight came when Kenny Omega tried to smoke a cigar, only to start choking as his peers looked on in disgust.
—Alfred Konuwa, Forbes.com, 24 May 2026
Under Vahidi’s leadership, the IRGC has effectively choked traffic at the world’s most important oil checkpoint, while Tehran’s demands from Washington now exceed those made in previous negotiations.
—Nadeen Ebrahim, CNN Money, 23 May 2026
See All Example Sentences for choke
Claire Carter, The Washington Examiner, 27 May 2026
A little more than a month earlier, records state Spencer choked, hit, and threatened to kill his wife after questioning her about withdrawing money from a bank for their painting business.
—Jim Turner, Sun Sentinel, 26 May 2026
The highlight came when Kenny Omega tried to smoke a cigar, only to start choking as his peers looked on in disgust.
—Alfred Konuwa, Forbes.com, 24 May 2026
Under Vahidi’s leadership, the IRGC has effectively choked traffic at the world’s most important oil checkpoint, while Tehran’s demands from Washington now exceed those made in previous negotiations.
—Nadeen Ebrahim, CNN Money, 23 May 2026
See All Example Sentences for choke
Recent Examples of Synonyms for choke
Verb
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Caballero, 78, was strangled with a phone cord in January 2021.—
Jesse Zanger,
CBS News,
20 May 2026
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Medical examiners later determined that Broussard had been strangled to death with a dog leash.—
Caroline Blair,
PEOPLE,
20 May 2026
Verb
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At the parties, both boys and girls drank excessively, often leading to vomiting.—
Robert Salonga,
Mercury News,
28 May 2026
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In the second, highly lethal variant of the Black Death, patients typically exhibited no initial symptoms, such as the onset of a fever or the appearance of buboes, but instead would suddenly begin to vomit up blood (that was usually dark in color) and typically died soon thereafter.—
Literary Hub,
Literary Hub,
27 May 2026
Verb
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That—and the high temperatures—led to low oxygen levels in the water, suffocating and killing fish across a 20-mile stretch.—
Monique John,
CBS News,
26 May 2026
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Needless to say, regulations are suffocating, as are obstacles to getting anything done commercially.—
Steve Forbes,
Forbes.com,
26 May 2026
Verb
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Cans block harmful light better than bottles, whose long necks can allow light and oxygen that speed up aging.—
Kait Hanson,
Southern Living,
29 May 2026
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The acid also blocks tyrosinase, an enzyme involved in melanin production that can become overactive due to the body’s inflammatory response during a shingles infection.—
Alyssa Sparacino,
Glamour,
29 May 2026
Verb
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That geography gives them a structural advantage over Gulf producers, which have been throttled by the closure of the Strait of Hormuz.—
Ariel Cohen,
Forbes.com,
28 May 2026
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With the war’s turbulence on the economy more prevalent and the internet now throttled, Russians no longer have the luxury of pretending the war in Ukraine isn’t happening.—
Daniel DePetris,
Mercury News,
23 May 2026
Verb
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There was also the problem of propeller blades in front, obstructing a clear shot at German enemy aircraft.—
Rachel Treisman,
NPR,
26 May 2026
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The judge said that the government met its burden in proving that Farwell is at risk of fleeing, obstructing justice, and causing harm to others if released pre-trial.—
Colleen Cronin,
Boston Herald,
26 May 2026
Verb
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Soon enough, the pair are jamming out all night, trading songs and stories in equal measure.—
Kate Erbland,
IndieWire,
28 May 2026
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Attacks could be thwarted by jamming or converting drone remote control signals, interfering with their control panels, and damaging or destroying the drones.—
Holly Ellyatt,
CNBC,
27 May 2026
Cite this Entry
“Choke.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/choke. Accessed 30 May. 2026.
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