suffocate

verb suf·fo·cate \ ˈsə-fə-ˌkāt \

|Updated on: 12 Aug 2018

Examples: suffocate in a Sentence

Definition of suffocate

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

play \ˌsə-fə-ˈkā-shən\ noun

—

suffocative

play \ˈsə-fə-ˌkā-tiv\ adjective

See suffocate defined for English-language learners

See suffocate defined for kids

Examples of suffocate in a Sentence

Don't put that pillow over her face—she could suffocate.
The poor dog could suffocate in the car on a hot day like this.
The victims were found suffocated.

Recent Examples of suffocate from the Web

In a booming region, with runaway housing prices and suffocating traffic, the Northgate development is the kind of project that’s supposed to help with both problems.

— david gutman, The Seattle Times, "King County moves to allow affordable housing at future Northgate light-rail station," 9 July 2018
Others wonder if Gruden’s big personality will suffocate Carr’s leadership growth.

— andy benoit, SI.com, "Jon Gruden Is Back, With a Big Rebuilding Job: 10 Thoughts on the Raiders," 18 June 2018
They would be scorched to death, crushed by collapsing buildings, suffocated beneath rubble, and pierced with flying chunks of glass and metal.

— Daily Intelligencer, "This Is What a Nuclear Bomb Looks Like," 12 June 2018
The fish are dying because of naturally low oxygen levels in the water, which essentially suffocates fish, according to Seabrook authorities.

— jay r. jordan, Houston Chronicle, "Fishing in Galveston Bay discouraged after natural ‘fish kill’," 6 June 2018
As painful as that was, the alternative was to be linked to an identity that felt suffocating and limiting.

— ari’el stachel, Time, "I Once Hid My Middle Eastern Identity. Being Cast in the Musical The Band’s Visit Changed That," 4 June 2018
Rescue workers who raced to the scene could hear people moaning and crying, pinned beneath concrete slabs, impaled with steel girders, suffocating from dust.

— jill lepore, The New Yorker, "The Rise of the Victims’-Rights Movement," 14 May 2018
The innocuous oil deeply hydrates skin (without suffocating your pores) with fatty acids that also fade acne scars and reduce redness.

— chloe metzger, Marie Claire, "The Best Face Oil for Every Single Skin Type," 11 July 2018
At the time, some parents told news media that their children suffocated due to a lack of oxygen.

— parth m.n., latimes.com, "When an Indian hospital was running out of oxygen, these doctors tried to help. So why were they sent to jail?," 29 June 2018

These example sentences are selected automatically from various online news sources to reflect current usage of the word 'suffocate.' Views expressed in the examples do not represent the opinion of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.

Origin and Etymology of suffocate

Middle English, from Latin suffocatus, past participle of suffocare to choke, stifle, from sub- + fauces throat

NEW! Time Traveler

First Known Use: 15th century

in the meaning defined at transitive sense 1a(1)

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suffocate Synonyms

SUFFOCATE Defined for English Language Learners

suffocate

verb

Definition of suffocate for English Language Learners

: to die because you are unable to breathe
: to kill (someone) by making breathing impossible
: to be uncomfortable because there is not enough fresh air

SUFFOCATE Defined for Kids

suffocate

verb suf·fo·cate \ ˈsə-fə-ˌkāt \

Definition of suffocate for Students

suffocated; suffocating

1 : to kill by stopping the breathing of or by depriving of oxygen to breathe

2 : to die from being unable to breathe

3 : to be or become choked or smothered

Weeds are suffocating the flowers we planted.

4 : to suffer from lack of fresh air

Medical Dictionary

suffocate

verb suf·fo·cate \ ˈsəf-ə-ˌkāt \

medical Definition of suffocate

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

play \-ˌkāt-iv\ adjective

Learn More about suffocate

See words that rhyme with suffocate Thesaurus: All synonyms and antonyms for suffocate Spanish Central: Translation of suffocate Nglish: Translation of suffocate for Spanish speakers Britannica English: Translation of suffocate for Arabic speakers

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suffocate

Definition of suffocate

suffocation

suffocative

Examples of suffocate in a Sentence

Recent Examples of suffocate from the Web

Origin and Etymology of suffocate

suffocate Synonyms

Synonyms

Near Antonyms

Related Words

SUFFOCATE Defined for English Language Learners

suffocate

Definition of suffocate for English Language Learners

SUFFOCATE Defined for Kids

suffocate

Definition of suffocate for Students

Medical Dictionary

suffocate

medical Definition of suffocate

suffocative

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