suffocating

adjective

suf·​fo·​cat·​ing ˈsə-fə-ˌkā-tiŋ How to pronounce suffocating (audio)
: tending or serving to suffocate or overpower : overwhelming
suffocatingly adverb

Examples of suffocating in a Sentence

inside the bunker it was suffocating, and some of the men had already passed out
Recent Examples on the Web
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
For Perrie Edwards, the studio can be both a sanctuary and a suffocating cocoon. Sophie Williams, Billboard, 24 Sep. 2025 Their pass rush is suffocating and multi-faceted — Andrew Van Ginkel and Jonathan Greenard alone might be dominant enough to make Minnesota a top-10 defense in spite of a less talented secondary. Bennett Durando, Denver Post, 26 Aug. 2025 The suffocating Benz pushed the lifelong asthmatic to the edge. Sam Bloch august 8, Literary Hub, 8 Aug. 2025 And with the team operating under the suffocating grip of new CBA, every dollar must work overtime. Brian Sampson, Forbes.com, 17 June 2025 See All Example Sentences for suffocating

Word History

First Known Use

1604, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of suffocating was in 1604

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Cite this Entry

“Suffocating.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/suffocating. Accessed 29 Sep. 2025.

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