as in strangles
to cause (someone) to stop breathing and often to become unconscious and die
The murder victim was asphyxiated.
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Example Sentences
Recent Examples of Synonyms for asphyxiates
Verb
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Mostly, though, Boland strangles batters with his suffocating and deadly-accurate line and length.—
Tim Spiers,
New York Times,
7 Jan. 2026 -
What starts as an innocent father/daughter college visit takes a shocking turn when Tony brutally strangles a Mob turncoat.—
Dan Snierson,
Entertainment Weekly,
27 Dec. 2025
Verb
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Baseus Noise-cancelling Headphones These noise-cancelling headphones are a must-have for frequent travelers, delivering adaptive noise reduction that drowns out jet engine roar, crying babies, and chatty seatmates for peaceful flights or train rides.—
Gabriela Garcia,
Travel + Leisure,
28 Nov. 2025
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About once a year, someone drowns.—
Jamie Thompson,
The Atlantic,
6 Nov. 2025
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Cite this Entry
“Asphyxiates.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/asphyxiates. Accessed 22 Jan. 2026.
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