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.
Foreign companies and some Chinese companies have complained that the government’s Covid isolation and shutdown rules were choking off business by deterring trips abroad and visits to China by investors and clients.
From New York Times ● Jun. 28, 2022
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
She felt as if she were choking, drowning.
From "Forged by Fire" by Sharon M. Draper
