suffocate

verb suf·fo·cate \ ˈsə-fə-ˌkāt \

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

The 2005 Champions League final simply suffocated me.

— SI.com, "Andrea Pirlo Reveals the Devastation After Istanbul Loss to Liverpool That Made Him Want to Quit," 9 Oct. 2017
Finally, the lack of a clear answer is freeing, not suffocating.

— rachel charlene lewis, SELF, "How the Hitachi Magic Wand Helped Me Define Queer Sex for Myself," 19 Sep. 2017
And as the sediment is dumped, plumes of silt and sand drift away, settling on other reefs and suffocating them.

— john mcmanus, National Geographic, "Giant Clam Poaching Wipes Out Reefs in South China Sea," 12 July 2016
But that apparently is why Elizabeth slipped between the bed and the wall and suffocated.

— michael antman, Philly.com, "Michael Antman's 'Everything Solid': Three women, music, and a dream," 29 Oct. 2017
Last season saw the famed Gegenpressing blossom as opponents were ensnared and suffocated from all directions.

— SI.com, "Liverpool Face Agonising Wait for Naby Keita Arrival as Midfield Tectonics Begin to Shift," 25 Oct. 2017
Wednesday morning’s eight deaths at The Rehabilitation Center of Hollywood Hills nursing home spurred municipal actions addressing elder vulnerability in South Florida’s suffocating post-Irma air.

— david j. neal and caitlin ostroff, miamiherald, "Nursing home deaths brought out official embraces of the elderly (for now).," 13 Sep. 2017
The Canton auto workers are also well aware of how escalating union demands and stifling work rules suffocated the Big Three U.S. car makers in Detroit.

— the editorial board, WSJ, "The United Auto Workers Lose Again," 6 Aug. 2017
The song is Bareilles at her intimate best, and as Oakley sings the final soaring notes, the cheap, suffocating wood paneling of Jenna's place with Earl disappears, replaced with a wide open, pre-dawn sky.

— andrea simakis, cleveland.com, "Karamu alumnus Terrence Spivey partners with pastor to launch new African-American theater company," 27 Oct. 2017

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)

See Words from the same year

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

Seen and Heard

What made you want to look up suffocate? Please tell us where you read or heard it (including the quote, if possible).

show

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

Learn More about suffocate

Seen and Heard

Love words? Need even more definitions?

Love words? Need even more definitions?

Words at Play

Ask the Editors

Word Games

'Complement' vs. 'Compliment'

Trending: HRC: Media Opened Door to 'Charlatans'

Going Greek: 7 Words from the Greek Alphabet

Odd Habits and Quirks Quiz

2017 Word of the Year: Behind the Scenes