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!

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Antonyms & Near Antonyms

as in vomiting

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

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as in drowning

to be or cause to be killed by lack of breathable air thick, black smoke choked the trapped firefighters

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as in blocking

to prevent passage through by filling with something overgrown bushes choked the narrow alleyway between the buildings

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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 Faux greenery eliminates plant-toxin concerns, but loose pieces can still become choking hazards or cause an intestinal blockage if swallowed. — Lauren Paige Richeson, USA Today, 2 Sep. 2026 He was charged with three offenses, including assault occasioning actual bodily harm, intentionally choking a person without consent and common assault. — Mckinley Franklin, HollywoodReporter, 1 Sep. 2026 Almost constant air raids in Kyiv have now reached their third day, choking the economy in the Ukrainian capital and severely disrupting civilian life more than 4½ years after Russia’s full-scale invasion of its neighbor. — ABC News, 29 Aug. 2026 Speaking of choking, there was a lot of that in the episode with all the food regurgitating. — Nellie Andreeva, Deadline, 28 Aug. 2026 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 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

Recent Examples of Synonyms for choking

Verb

Clancy, a 36-year-old former labor and delivery nurse, doesn’t deny strangling her children in the basement of their home in 2023.

— Leah Willingham, Los Angeles Times, 3 Sep. 2026
Prosecutors allege Clancy planned the killings by sending her husband out on errands and then strangling the children with exercise bands while he was gone.

— N'dea Yancey-Bragg, USA Today, 2 Sep. 2026

Definition of strangling

Verb

He was booked into San Diego Central Jail on charges of felony evading a peace officer with wanton disregard for safety, obstructing or resisting a peace officer and driving under the influence of drugs, according to police.

— Stepheny Price, FOXNews.com, 1 Sep. 2026
Nipsco must prioritize people over profits, and our state and national leaders must stop obstructing the renewable infrastructure projects that offer a path toward true resilience.

— Lori Latham, Chicago Tribune, 31 Aug. 2026

Definition of obstructing

Verb

After filling our brushes with mouthwash from docking station reservoirs, Sarah and I brushed our teeth side-by-side (a first for both of us professionally).

— Jenny Bailly, Allure, 1 Sep. 2026
Community soil scientists Lynn Fang and Maggie Smart-McCabe will demonstrate filling mesh socks with compost, microbes and fungal mycelium.

— Pedro Moura, Los Angeles Times, 1 Sep. 2026