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
Oregon toddler strangled by toy kitchen In Oregon in February 2023, a 23-month-old child was asphyxiated after his shirt got caught on one of the hooks while climbing and crawling through the opening at the back of the play kitchen where the toy kitchen accessories are held, per the CPSC.
—Chad Murphy, The Enquirer, 5 Aug. 2025
Cartman then attempts and fails to asphyxiate himself — and Butters — in a car for the rest of the episode.
—Jason P. Frank, Vulture, 24 July 2025
This invasive species in Florida numbers in the millions, asphyxiates its prey and creates huge supercolonies that are nearly impossible to eradicate.
—Kim Luciani, The Enquirer, 14 July 2025
Most of the victims were strangled or asphyxiated, and Gacy buried 26 of the bodies in the crawl space beneath his home; others were found in Chicago waterways, per NPR.
—Nicole Acosta, People.com, 8 July 2025
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Chad Murphy, The Enquirer, 5 Aug. 2025
Cartman then attempts and fails to asphyxiate himself — and Butters — in a car for the rest of the episode.
—Jason P. Frank, Vulture, 24 July 2025
This invasive species in Florida numbers in the millions, asphyxiates its prey and creates huge supercolonies that are nearly impossible to eradicate.
—Kim Luciani, The Enquirer, 14 July 2025
Most of the victims were strangled or asphyxiated, and Gacy buried 26 of the bodies in the crawl space beneath his home; others were found in Chicago waterways, per NPR.
—Nicole Acosta, People.com, 8 July 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 19 Aug. 2025.
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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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