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
The burns cause swelling, the airways close, and the victim can asphyxiate.
—Christopher Bonanos, Curbed, 22 May 2026
Tarrant County prosecutors said Busby and an accomplice abducted Crane, 77, from a grocery store parking lot, robbed her and then asphyxiated her with duct tape, wrapping 14 layers around her face.
—Erik Ortiz, NBC news, 20 May 2026
The indictment charges Horner with strangling, smothering or asphyxiating Athena while in the course of kidnapping her.
—Harriet Ramos, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 7 Apr. 2026
Like being asphyxiated in a ball pit filled with candy, the experience of watching The Super Mario Galaxy Movie is at once kaleidoscopic and nerve-wracking.
—Bilge Ebiri, Vulture, 1 Apr. 2026
See All Example Sentences for asphyxiate
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Christopher Bonanos, Curbed, 22 May 2026
Tarrant County prosecutors said Busby and an accomplice abducted Crane, 77, from a grocery store parking lot, robbed her and then asphyxiated her with duct tape, wrapping 14 layers around her face.
—Erik Ortiz, NBC news, 20 May 2026
The indictment charges Horner with strangling, smothering or asphyxiating Athena while in the course of kidnapping her.
—Harriet Ramos, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 7 Apr. 2026
Like being asphyxiated in a ball pit filled with candy, the experience of watching The Super Mario Galaxy Movie is at once kaleidoscopic and nerve-wracking.
—Bilge Ebiri, Vulture, 1 Apr. 2026
See All Example Sentences for asphyxiate
Cite this Entry
“Asphyxiate.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/asphyxiate. Accessed 26 May. 2026.
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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
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