as in strangles
to keep (someone) from breathing by exerting pressure on the windpipe
I was so angry at what he was saying that I could have throttled him!
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Recent Examples of throttles
Mansfield Legacy throttles Crowley Mansfield Legacy piled on the hits against Crowley Friday, seizing a 17-1 victory in a game that ended after three innings.
—
Charles Baggarly, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 11 Apr. 2026
Records could also be topped in Las Vegas and Phoenix through the weekend as the early-season desert heat wave throttles up.
—Doyle Rice, USA Today, 12 Mar. 2026
Health care costs have risen dramatically faster than the spending cap set by TABOR, which in turn throttles other aspects of the state budget.
—Seth Klamann, Denver Post, 14 Jan. 2026
Bills defense throttles Steelers offense Buffalo survived, little thanks to its offense.
—The Athletic Nfl Staff, New York Times, 1 Dec. 2025
As the West throttles its science, China is racing ahead.
—Michael Jäger, Boston Herald, 22 Nov. 2025
Charles Baggarly, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 11 Apr. 2026
Records could also be topped in Las Vegas and Phoenix through the weekend as the early-season desert heat wave throttles up.
—Doyle Rice, USA Today, 12 Mar. 2026
Health care costs have risen dramatically faster than the spending cap set by TABOR, which in turn throttles other aspects of the state budget.
—Seth Klamann, Denver Post, 14 Jan. 2026
Bills defense throttles Steelers offense Buffalo survived, little thanks to its offense.
—The Athletic Nfl Staff, New York Times, 1 Dec. 2025
As the West throttles its science, China is racing ahead.
—Michael Jäger, Boston Herald, 22 Nov. 2025
Recent Examples of Synonyms for throttles
Verb
-
Ground cover plants around trees can lead to root girdling—where the cover essentially strangles the tree, threatening its health.—
Lee Wallender,
The Spruce,
30 Apr. 2026
-
As Iran strangles the Strait of Hormuz, countries have scrambled for alternative routes.—
Samy Magdy,
Los Angeles Times,
28 Mar. 2026
Verb
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In the second season, a patient under the influence wraps his arm around a young nurse’s neck and chokes her until the charge nurse intervenes.—
Jennifer Obel,
Twin Cities,
22 Apr. 2026
-
Jasmine almost chokes on her corn dog when that comes out of Janet’s mouth.—
Brian Moylan,
Vulture,
9 Apr. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Throttles.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/throttles. Accessed 2 May. 2026.
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