What is the act of intentionally obstructing another person's breathing referred to as?

The act of intentionally obstructing another person's breathing is referred to as choking. This term specifically denotes the physical act of restricting airflow, which can cause serious harm or even result in death, depending on the severity and duration of the obstruction. Choking can occur through various means, including applying pressure to the throat or neck, which directly affects a person's ability to breathe.

In legal contexts, choking is often seen as a form of physical violence and may be associated with charges such as assault, especially when the intention is to harm or exert control over another person. Understanding the specific terminology is crucial, as it aligns with laws concerning personal safety and violence.

Other terms listed, such as harassment, intimidation, and assault, encompass broader forms of aggression or threats that do not necessarily involve the direct obstruction of breathing. Harassment typically relates to unwanted behavior that causes distress, intimidation involves instilling fear through threats or coercive actions, and assault encompasses various acts of violence or the threat of violence against another person. Thus, while these terms are related to aggressive behavior, they do not specifically define the act of obstructing someone's breathing as directly as choking does.