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 of suffocate

• strangle
• choke
• drown
• smother

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

The Delta breeze may save Sacramento from 100 degrees on Friday, but given the heat dome’s positioning nearly directly overhead this weekend, that Delta breeze will be snuffed out under the suffocating high pressure. — Sean MacAday 27, Sacbee.com, 27 July 2026

New York has had excellent stretches, such as the team’s undefeated Commissioner’s Cup run, when their offense moves from side to side, their shotmaking reaches elite levels and their length is suffocating on defense. — Sabreena Merchant, New York Times, 21 July 2026

Each incident was met with a familiar, suffocating silence — minimized, forgiven and swept away. — Jeremy Kohler, ProPublica, 20 July 2026

Landscape fabric suffocates microorganisms, blocks nutrients, and degrades into microplastics. — Leanne Potts, Better Homes & Gardens, 19 July 2026

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)

Rhymes for suffocate

• abdicate
• abrogate
• acetate
• activate
• actuate
• aggravate
• agitate
• alginate
• alienate
• allocate
• amputate
• angulate

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