Meaning

(martial arts, wrestling) A grappling hold around a person's neck, especially one in which the neck is grasped tightly from behind with an arm, cutting off the flow of blood to the brain and restricting breathing..

Definitions by Sense

1. (martial arts, wrestling) A grappling hold around a person's neck, especially one in which the neck is grasped tightly from behind with an arm, cutting off the flow of blood to the brain and restricting breathing.
2. (figurative, by extension) A powerful and restrictive control or influence over something.
3. (transitive) To put a hold around the neck of (someone), especially one in which the neck is grasped tightly from behind with an arm.
4. (transitive, figuratively, by extension) To exert tight, restrictive, control over someone or something.

Example Sentences

He put his opponent in a chokehold.

Within five to ten seconds, one officer began to apply a choke hold by pressing his forearm into [Adolph] Lyons' throat. As Lyons was struggling for air, the officer handcuffed him and continued to apply the choke hold until Lyons blacked out. He was almost choked to death. […] Between 1975 and 1982, sixteen people died from the LAPD [Los Angeles Police Department]'s use of choke holds.

In competition, judo matches typically have a standing phase (opponents attempt to throw each other) and a ground phase (once an opponent is on the ground, then both opponents can use a hold down, literally holding an opponent down for 15 to 25 seconds, or using a choke hold or similar controlling technique to force an opponent to submit).

One country has a chokehold on another country's economy.

With the music industry releasing their chokehold on these television talent shows, it too is looking to other sources like social media – [Rob] Wade calls TikTok "one giant talent show" – to find new talent rather than primetime TV.

Fellow fashionistas know the hype of GAP athleisure wear. The nostalgic look mixed with its soft design have the girlies in a chokehold!

Word Forms

• chokeholds
• choke-hold
• choke hold
• chokeholding
• chokeheld

Synonyms for choke hold

Related Words

When Should You Use Choke hold?

Use choke hold when its meaning, tone and grammar fit the full sentence. A synonym is not always a direct replacement.

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