CHOKING (BACK) Synonyms: 28 Similar and Opposite Words

choking (back)

verb

Definition of choking (back)

present participle of choke (back)

as in stifling

to refrain from openly showing or uttering choked back a sarcastic reply to an insulting question

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Recent Examples of Synonyms for choking (back)

Verb

Trailing 10-3 at halftime, Clemson used a stifling defense to set up three third quarter scores — two coming on Nolan Hauser field goals and another on Reynolds' go-ahead touchdown run off a quarterback draw.

— ABC News, ABC News, 24 Oct. 2026
The midday heat is stifling, even more so for Eilyn Solano, who has been sheltering in a tent for over 100 days.

— CNN Money, CNN Money, 24 Oct. 2026

Definition of stifling

Verb

After 20 years of suppressing his feelings, therapy helped Harry give himself permission to grieve and acknowledge his pain.

— Esther Lian, PEOPLE, 21 Oct. 2026
Embracing uncertainty does not mean ignoring danger, suppressing disappointment or insisting that every setback is positive.

— ABC News, ABC News, 17 Oct. 2026

Definition of suppressing

Verb

For head and neck cancer survivors specifically, nearly all clinicians routinely assess cancer recurrence, swallowing and thyroid function.

— Marci Lee Nilsen, The Conversation, 22 Oct. 2026
People who have been infected with salmonella may experience diarrhea, fever and stomach cramps, usually six hours to six days after swallowing the bacteria, health officials said.

— Victoria Craw, Washington Post, 22 Oct. 2026

Definition of swallowing

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

choking

choking (back)

choking off

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“Choking (back).” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/choking%20%28back%29. Accessed 30 Oct. 2026.

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Synonyms of choking (back)

verb

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