asphyxiate

verb

as·​phyx·​i·​ate as-ˈfik-sē-ˌāt 

əs-

asphyxiated; asphyxiating

transitive verb

: to cause asphyxia in : to kill, suspend animation in, or make unconscious through want of adequate oxygen, presence of noxious agents, or other obstruction to normal breathing

The murder victim was asphyxiated.

intransitive verb

: to become asphyxiated

… ended in several deaths, including that of a … secretary who asphyxiated during a smoke bombing.

—Robert I. Friedman

Examples of asphyxiate in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web

The petition, which was granted by a federal judge, cited reports alleging that guards at the facility choked and asphyxiated Campos. —Armando Garcia, ABC News, 10 June 2026

The 10-mile-high plume asphyxiated around 200,000 residents but also preserved the city in remarkable detail. —Hanna Wickes, Charlotte Observer, 3 June 2026

The fine ash preserved the site but asphyxiated 200,000 residents. —Hanna Wickes, Sacbee.com, 3 June 2026

The burns cause swelling, the airways close, and the victim can asphyxiate. —Christopher Bonanos, Curbed, 22 May 2026

Word History

Etymology

see asphyxia

First Known Use

1836, in the meaning defined at transitive sense

Rhymes for asphyxiate

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

Kids Definition

asphyxiate

verb

as·​phyx·​i·​ate as-ˈfik-sē-ˌāt 

asphyxiated; asphyxiating

: to cause asphyxia in

asphyxiation

(ˌ)as-ˌfik-sē-ˈā-shən 

noun

Medical Definition

asphyxiate

verb

as·​phyx·​i·​ate -sē-ˌāt 

asphyxiated; asphyxiating

transitive verb

: to cause asphyxia in

also : to kill or make unconscious through inadequate oxygen, presence of noxious agents, or other obstruction to normal breathing

intransitive verb

: to become asphyxiated

asphyxiation

-ˌfik-sē-ˈā-shən 

noun

asphyxiator

-ˈfik-sē-ˌāt-ər 

noun