choke

verb

ˈchōk How to pronounce choke (audio)
Definition of chokenext
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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Antonyms & Near Antonyms
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
as in to block
to prevent passage through by filling with something overgrown bushes choked the narrow alleyway between the buildings

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Antonyms & Near Antonyms

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 Additionally, rope toys can cause a choking hazard or even lacerate your dog’s digestive tract. — Bestreviews, Chicago Tribune, 25 Aug. 2026 Conditions at the hotel have worsened in recent months, Yoon said, with food sometimes withheld and guards accused of threatening, beating and choking some of the migrants. — Mark Banchereau, Los Angeles Times, 24 Aug. 2026 In the video, according to the affidavit, Jeremy was seen striking his wife, grabbing her by the throat, choking her and repeatedly punching her. — Sarah Rumpf-Whitten, FOXNews.com, 24 Aug. 2026 Investigators found a video in a hidden folder on Shelby’s phone, dated May 19, 2025, which was alleged to show Jeremy striking, choking and repeatedly punching his wife, as well as grabbing her by the throat and threatening to kill her, per KBSI. — Adam England, PEOPLE, 24 Aug. 2026 See All Example Sentences for choke
Recent Examples of Synonyms for choke
  1. strangle
  2. vomit
  3. suffocate
  4. block
  5. throttle
  6. obstruct
  7. jam
Verb
  • Prosecutors allege Clancy planned the killings by sending her husband to pick up takeout food and medicine, then, while he was gone, strangled the children with exercise bands.
    — Melina Khan, USA Today, 28 Aug. 2026
  • Her body was discovered by children and had stab wounds, severe head injuries and injuries consistent with strangling.
    — CBS News, CBS News, 28 Aug. 2026
Definition of strangle
Verb
  • The people who genuinely benefit are those vomiting or experiencing diarrhoea badly enough to be dehydrated.
    — Hanna Wickes, Kansas City Star, 26 Aug. 2026
  • On the night of the reprieve, Owen, cut loose for the evening by his girlfriend, who wants to canoodle with a neighbor, vomits in the vicinity of Allie’s high heels, in what might be called a meet-boot.
    — Alexandra Schwartz, New Yorker, 21 Aug. 2026
Definition of vomit
Verb
  • King managed to take the suffocating history of the Indian — the treaties, the massacres, the Hollywood caricatures — and turn it into something conversational, even funny.
    — Tommy Orange, Vulture, 26 Aug. 2026
  • Similar in stature to Riq Woolen, Jones has a rare 6-4 frame for a cornerback, with the length and speed to suffocate receivers.
    — Dane Brugler, New York Times, 26 Aug. 2026
Definition of suffocate
Verb
  • The Supreme Court in late June blocked Trump from firing Cook, but left the president with a path to try again to remove her.
    — Kevin Breuninger,Dan Mangan, CNBC, 27 Aug. 2026
  • Satellite images appear to show the avalanche blocking the river with ice and debris about 20km upstream of the Nepal-Tibet border.
    — Milad Haghani, Scientific American, 27 Aug. 2026
Definition of block
Verb
  • About five miles separate Agoura and Westlake high schools, but there seemed to be a great deal more distance between them Friday night, as host Westlake throttled the Chargers 38-7 in a nonleague game.
    — Joel Beers, Los Angeles Times, 29 Aug. 2026
  • My contact at Proton Mail explained that the process can get throttled at the provider’s end.
    — Neil J. Rubenking, PC Magazine, 24 Aug. 2026
Definition of throttle
Verb
  • Unlike existing luxury setups, the doors open in unison to reveal a completely open cabin space without a central B-pillar obstructing entry.
    — New Atlas, New Atlas, 30 Aug. 2026
  • The man is being charged with dangerous operation of a vehicle, obstructing a peace officer and assaulting a peace officer with a weapon, according to Windsor Police.
    — Natalie Davies, Freep.com, 29 Aug. 2026
Definition of obstruct
Verb
  • There’s no two ways about it — the Dodgers should not plan on jamming Ohtani back into the starting rotation.
    — Los Angeles Times, Los Angeles Times, 30 Aug. 2026
  • Bugs Bunny jams himself against the edge and grits his teeth in agony.
    — Laura Preston, New Yorker, 30 Aug. 2026
Definition of jam

Phrases Containing choke

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choirs
choke
choke (back)
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Cite this Entry

“Choke.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/choke. Accessed 1 Sep. 2026.

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More from Merriam-Webster on choke

Britannica.com: Encyclopedia article about choke

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