choke
verb (used with object)
to stop the breath of by squeezing or obstructing the windpipe; strangle; stifle.
were choking
-
past progressiveof choke.past progressive
Used to describe an ongoing action or continuous state that was happening at a specific time in the past.
Example Sentences
Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.
What changed in the interim was strengthened resolve by the U.S. and a decision by China, whose cities were choking on coal-fired smog, to join in the move to a new energy future.
From Washington Times ● Dec. 16, 2020
There was so much smoke that everyone in the intelligence community and the Department of Justice were choking on it.
From Salon ● Apr. 19, 2019
Anyway, can you imagine Johnny Miller on the call talking about how much Tiger and Phil were choking those first couple attempts?
From Golf Digest ● Nov. 27, 2018
American cities were choking in smog thick enough to obscure buildings on the same block, toxic waste flowed out of exposed drainpipes, and rivers were catching fire.
From Slate ● Jun. 8, 2018
I heard her voice catch, as if she were choking back tears.
From "Ready Player One: A Novel" by Ernest Cline
