suffocate

verb

suf·​fo·​cate ˈsə-fə-ˌkāt 

suffocated; suffocating

transitive verb

1

a(1)

: to stop the respiration of (as by strangling or asphyxiation)

(2)

: to deprive of oxygen

b

: to make uncomfortable by want of fresh air

2

: to impede or stop the development of

intransitive verb

1

: to become suffocated:

a(1)

: to die from being unable to breathe

(2)

: to die from lack of oxygen

b

: to be uncomfortable through lack of fresh air

2

: to become checked in development

suffocation

ˌsə-fə-ˈkā-shən 

noun

suffocative

ˈsə-fə-ˌkā-tiv 

adjective

Synonyms

• choke
• smother
• stifle
• strangle

Examples of suffocate in a Sentence

The poor dog could suffocate in the car on a hot day like this.

Don't put your head in a plastic bag—you could suffocate.

Recent Examples on the Web

Then, aided by late home runs from Kiké Hernandez, Shohei Ohtani and Max Muncy, the trustworthy relief corps took over, getting five scoreless innings to continue its suffocating postseason form and reaffirm the Dodgers’ control of this series. —Jack Harris, Los Angeles Times, 17 Oct. 2024

The suspect also allegedly suffocated her using a martial arts move, which involved squeezing her neck between his arm and forearm, Leggo.it, Gazzetta di Parma and Corriere Della Sera reported, citing an autopsy and prosecutors. —Samira Asma-Sadeque, People.com, 2 Oct. 2024

The one potential roadblock to a private equity acquisition is the company’s large debt load of approximately $1.6 billion with interest payments already suffocating the cash flow private equity investors love so much. —Kenneth Squire, CNBC, 7 Sep. 2024

The smell is suffocating, the smell of stale cigarette smoke, bad food, wet clothes, the smell of the old woman’s dread and worry and wheezing, the awful smell of poverty. —Jay Nordlinger, National Review, 2 Sep. 2024

Word History

Etymology

borrowed from Latin suffōcātus, past participle of suffōcāre "to stifle, choke, deprive of air, squeeze together," from suf-, assimilated form of sub- sub- + -fōcāre, verbal derivative of fauc-, faux (ordinarily in plural faucēs) "upper part of the throat, pharynx, windpipe," of obscure origin

First Known Use

15th century, in the meaning defined at transitive sense 1a(1)

Kids Definition

suffocate

verb

suf·​fo·​cate ˈsəf-ə-ˌkāt 

suffocated; suffocating

1

a

: to stop the breathing of (as by strangling)

b

: to deprive of oxygen

c

: to make uncomfortable by want of fresh air

2

: to become suffocated

especially : to die or suffer from being unable to breathe or from lack of oxygen

suffocation

ˌsəf-ə-ˈkā-shən 

noun

Medical Definition

suffocate

verb

suf·​fo·​cate ˈsəf-ə-ˌkāt 

suffocated; suffocating

transitive verb

1

: to stop the respiration of (as by strangling or asphyxiation)

2

: to deprive of oxygen

intransitive verb

: to die from being unable to breathe

suffocative

-ˌkāt-iv 

adjective