asphyxiate
verb
as·phyx·i·ate
as-ˈfik-sē-ˌāt 
əs-
asphyxiated; asphyxiating
: to cause asphyxia in : to kill, suspend animation in, or make unconscious through want of adequate oxygen, presence of noxious agents, or other obstruction to normal breathing
The murder victim was asphyxiated.
: to become asphyxiated
… ended in several deaths, including that of a … secretary who asphyxiated during a smoke bombing.—
Robert I. Friedman
Robert I. FriedmanExamples of asphyxiate in a Sentence
Recent Examples on the Web
Spota was the working prosecutor on the case of Johnny Pius, a young boy who was found beaten and asphyxiated in his Smithtown, Long Island schoolyard in April 1979.
—Ct Jones, Rolling Stone, 28 Mar. 2025
In court, his lawyers argued that officers compressed his chest with their body weight, leading him to asphyxiate.
—Sharon Bernstein, Sacramento Bee, 6 Mar. 2025
Medical examiner says Riley was asphyxiated and had blunt-force head trauma
Riley’s father, mother and stepfather left the courtroom before a medical examiner testified about their daughter’s injuries and cause of death.
—Holly Yan, CNN, 19 Nov. 2024
It was revealed at Lori’s trial that J.J. was asphyxiated while Tylee’s cause of death was undetermined due to the state of her remains.
—Nicole Acosta, People.com, 4 Mar. 2025
See All Example Sentences for asphyxiate
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to
show current usage.
Read More
Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors.
Send us feedback.
Ct Jones, Rolling Stone, 28 Mar. 2025
In court, his lawyers argued that officers compressed his chest with their body weight, leading him to asphyxiate.
—Sharon Bernstein, Sacramento Bee, 6 Mar. 2025
Medical examiner says Riley was asphyxiated and had blunt-force head trauma
Riley’s father, mother and stepfather left the courtroom before a medical examiner testified about their daughter’s injuries and cause of death.
—Holly Yan, CNN, 19 Nov. 2024
It was revealed at Lori’s trial that J.J. was asphyxiated while Tylee’s cause of death was undetermined due to the state of her remains.
—Nicole Acosta, People.com, 4 Mar. 2025
See All Example Sentences for asphyxiate
Cite this Entry
“Asphyxiate.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/asphyxiate. Accessed 8 Jul. 2025.
Copy CitationKids Definition
Medical Definition
asphyxiate
verb
as·phyx·i·ate
-sē-ˌāt
asphyxiated; asphyxiating
: to cause asphyxia in
also
: to kill or make unconscious through inadequate oxygen, presence of noxious agents, or other obstruction to normal breathing
: to become asphyxiated
Love words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
Share