chokes (back)

verb

present tense third-person singular of choke (back)
as in stifles
to refrain from openly showing or uttering choked back a sarcastic reply to an insulting question

Synonyms & Similar Words

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Antonyms & Near Antonyms

Example Sentences

Recent Examples of Synonyms for chokes (back)
  1. stifles
  2. suppresses
  3. swallows
  4. holds back
Verb
  • Vicki Phillips challenges the notion that AI inherently stifles creativity.
    — Vicki Phillips, Forbes.com, 7 July 2026
  • That stifles competition at home and, with China’s dependence on global consumption, raises concerns about dumping and deflation abroad.
    — Diane Brady, Fortune, 14 May 2026
Definition of stifles
Verb
  • Normally, this modifier gene suppresses the creation of a second kind of hemoglobin, typically made only during fetal development; repressing the gene prompts cells to start making the fetal form of hemoglobin again, which acts as a backup.
    — Roxanne Khamsi, The Atlantic, 7 July 2026
  • Enbrel partially suppresses the immune system, reducing damage from rheumatoid arthritis and five other diseases where the body attacks its own tissues.
    — Meg Wingerter, Denver Post, 7 July 2026
Definition of suppresses
Verb
  • Newspapers report it all, and the American citizenry swallows it whole.
    — Voice of the People, New York Daily News, 29 June 2026
  • In an ideal world, Blueger lines up as the middleman of an energetic fourth line that swallows up defensive-zone draws.
    — Jonas Siegel, New York Times, 23 June 2026
Definition of swallows
Verb
  • Samsung traditionally holds back one color in the Galaxy S range to be a web exclusive and drive consumers to its website, although typically this is one of the standard black or grey colors.
    — Ewan Spence, Forbes.com, 30 May 2026
  • The hydropower from Glen Canyon Dam that holds back Lake Powell serves more than 350,000 homes.
    — ABC News, ABC News, 8 May 2026
Definition of holds back
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.

Browse Nearby Words

chokes
chokes (back)
chokes off
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Cite this Entry

“Chokes (back).” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/chokes%20%28back%29. Accessed 9 Jul. 2026.

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