CHOKING Synonyms: 69 Similar and Opposite Words

choking

verb

Definition of choking

present participle of choke

as in strangling

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

Synonyms & Similar Words

Relevance

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

as in vomiting

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

Synonyms & Similar Words

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

as in drowning

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

as in blocking

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

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 choking The man in black is wracked and choking, mangling the words, eyes dripping. — George Caulkin, New York Times, 25 Aug. 2026 Additionally, rope toys can cause a choking hazard or even lacerate your dog’s digestive tract. — Bestreviews, Chicago Tribune, 25 Aug. 2026 Jeremy Perrien is also accused of choking her over a month before her killing, according to court documents. — Nadine El-Bawab, ABC News, 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 Loud, frequent snoring paired with gasping, choking or pauses in breathing may point to obstructive sleep apnea. — Ryan Brennan, Charlotte Observer, 20 Aug. 2026 There were flakes of gray ash on the rocks, and the choking stink of wet soot. — Madhuri Vijay, New Yorker, 16 Aug. 2026

Recent Examples of Synonyms for choking

Verb

Prosecutors allege Clancy planned the killings by sending her husband to pick up takeout food and medicine, then, while he was gone, strangling the children with exercise bands.

— Melina Khan, USA Today, 27 Aug. 2026
Prosecutors say the killings were deliberate, arguing that Clancy sent her husband out on errands before strangling the children and then attempting suicide.

— Rebecca Cohen, NBC news, 24 Aug. 2026

Definition of strangling

Verb

Chandler Police Department spokesperson Sonu Wasu said Trigg was hospitalized after authorities responded to a drowning call on May 12.

— Zoey Lyttle, PEOPLE, 25 Aug. 2026
Oliver has been away from Buffalo's facility for periods this summer in the aftermath of his son, also named Ed, drowning in June at a residential pool in Houston.

— ABC News, ABC News, 22 Aug. 2026

Definition of drowning

Verb

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
Realtor Dell Jeanty in Northern Virginia says that some curtains or drapes may be blocking the natural light that can enhance the visual of your interior to buyers.

— Ashlyn Needham, Southern Living, 27 Aug. 2026

Definition of blocking

Verb

In July, Michaels was diagnosed with a complicated obstructing kidney stone, which required immediate surgery and the placement of a ureteral stent.

— Tracy Brown, Los Angeles Times, 24 Aug. 2026
But Seminole’s Special Magistrate Sherry Sutphen chastised Moncrief, a resident of The Springs neighborhood, for likely damaging the river’s ecology behind his home and obstructing its natural flow.

— Martin E. Comas, The Orlando Sentinel, 22 Aug. 2026

Definition of obstructing

Verb

The idea came from a local band known as Hollyy that started jamming near Belmont Harbor last summer.

— Marissa Sulek, CBS News, 26 Aug. 2026
Along with jamming out with Limbani, Lee also collaborated on a painting with the chimp, which sold at auction for $5,000, funds that will go to support Save the Chimps’ animals.

— Kelli Bender, PEOPLE, 21 Aug. 2026