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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show current usage.
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Recent Examples of choke
During a drug and alcohol infused blackout in 1989, Osbourne almost choked his wife Sharon Osbourne to death.
—
Daniela Avila, People.com, 22 July 2025
Staff told emergency responders on Oct. 12, 2024, that the man — who was on a pureed diet — grabbed a turkey sandwich and began choking.
—Rebecca Johnson, Chicago Tribune, 17 July 2025
The fish then, choking on the convenient snack, would have attempted to push the belemnite tissue out through the gills, while the inflated phragmocone remained in the mouth cavity, suffocating the animal in the process.
—New Atlas, 13 July 2025
Make sure your watermelon is seedless and the rind is removed to prevent choking or upset stomach, PetMD reports.
—Kelsey Monstrola, USA Today, 12 July 2025
See All Example Sentences for choke
Daniela Avila, People.com, 22 July 2025
Staff told emergency responders on Oct. 12, 2024, that the man — who was on a pureed diet — grabbed a turkey sandwich and began choking.
—Rebecca Johnson, Chicago Tribune, 17 July 2025
The fish then, choking on the convenient snack, would have attempted to push the belemnite tissue out through the gills, while the inflated phragmocone remained in the mouth cavity, suffocating the animal in the process.
—New Atlas, 13 July 2025
Make sure your watermelon is seedless and the rind is removed to prevent choking or upset stomach, PetMD reports.
—Kelsey Monstrola, USA Today, 12 July 2025
See All Example Sentences for choke
Recent Examples of Synonyms for choke
Verb
-
Menzies was convicted of the 1986 murder of 26-year-old Maurine Hunsaker, a married mother of three who was kidnapped, robbed, strangled, and found tied to a tree with her throat slit.—
Amanda Lee Myers,
USA Today,
11 July 2025
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Most of the victims were strangled or asphyxiated, and Gacy buried 26 of the bodies in the crawl space beneath his home; others were found in Chicago waterways, per NPR.—
Nicole Acosta,
People.com,
8 July 2025
Verb
-
Seek immediate medical attention if the person vomits, symptoms worsen or last longer than 1 hour.—
Joyce Orlando,
The Tennessean,
29 July 2025
-
Oftentimes, discomfort and queasiness become worse immediately before vomiting.—
Kelly Burch Published,
Verywell Health,
7 July 2025
Verb
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Heavy clay and soggy soil can suffocate hydrangea roots and lead to root rot, eventually ending with the demise of your plant.—
Brandee Gruener,
Southern Living,
23 July 2025
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However, when the temperatures push past 80 degrees, those rich, enveloping sweet notes can feel suffocating.—
Ariel Wodarcyk,
Glamour,
21 July 2025
Verb
-
The Botox injections work by blocking a neurotransmitter that triggers sweat production.—
Raven Brunner,
People.com,
1 Aug. 2025
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However, an air mass can sometimes block a storm, driving it north or northeast toward the Baja California peninsula and the west coast of Mexico.—
The New York Times,
New York Times,
31 July 2025
Verb
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SpaceX can also throttle a Roam subscriber's access or impose extra fees if their Starlink dish is used in a highly congested area.—
PC Magazine,
PC Magazine,
21 July 2025
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Volcker’s willingness to inflict pain on the economy to throttle inflation is seen by most economists as a key example of the value of an independent Fed.—
Christopher Rugaber,
Chicago Tribune,
18 July 2025
Verb
-
Washington blames Hamas for prolonging the war and obstructing humanitarian aid.—
Amira El-Fekki,
MSNBC Newsweek,
25 July 2025
-
Keep clear of puddles - Driving through puddles or low rainwater areas 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.—
KANSAS CITY STAR WEATHER BOT,
Kansas City Star,
25 July 2025
Verb
-
Ukraine’s Air Force reported intercepting or electronically jamming 309 drones and two cruise missiles.—
Katya Soldak,
Forbes.com,
28 July 2025
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Ivor looked around the kitchen: the same tiles and little ornaments, the same letters, perhaps, jammed in a wooden holder on the dresser.—
Anne Enright,
New Yorker,
27 July 2025
Cite this Entry
“Choke.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/choke. Accessed 6 Aug. 2025.
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