suffocate

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verb

Definition of SUFFOCATE

1

to be or cause to be killed by lack of breathable air <the law requires the owner of a discarded refrigerator to remove its door so that a child won't get trapped inside and suffocate>

Synonyms choke, stifle, strangle, suffocate

Related Words garrote (or garotte), throttle; asphyxiate; drown; croak [slang], destroy, dispatch, do in, fell, slay

Near Antonyms breathe, exhale, expire, inhale, inspire; resuscitate, revive

2

to keep (someone) from breathing by exerting pressure on the windpipe <temporarily suffocated by the seat belt>

Synonyms garrote (or garotte), strangle, suffocate, throttle

Related Words asphyxiate, smother, stifle; scrag

Near Antonyms restore, resuscitate, revive

3

to experience complete or partial blockage of the windpipe <suffocating in the thick, black smoke of the burning building>

Synonyms gag, suffocate

Related Words heave, retch, throw up, vomit; asphyxiate, smother, stifle

Near Antonyms breathe, respire; expire, inspire