as in strangling
to cause (someone) to stop breathing and often to become unconscious and die
The murder victim was asphyxiated.
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Recent Examples of asphyxiating
The indictment charges Horner with strangling, smothering or asphyxiating Athena while in the course of kidnapping her.
—
Harriet Ramos, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 7 Apr. 2026
Officer Derek Chauvin, who is white, then knelt on Floyd’s neck for nine minutes, asphyxiating him.
—Nancy M. Preyor-Johnson, San Antonio Express-News, 16 Jan. 2026
Harriet Ramos, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 7 Apr. 2026
Officer Derek Chauvin, who is white, then knelt on Floyd’s neck for nine minutes, asphyxiating him.
—Nancy M. Preyor-Johnson, San Antonio Express-News, 16 Jan. 2026
Recent Examples of Synonyms for asphyxiating
Verb
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Prosecutors declined to file charges and Saenz was later granted a permanent restraining order against that ex-boyfriend, according to court records, after he was convicted of battering and strangling her.—
Shira Moolten,
Sun Sentinel,
4 June 2026
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The Idaho case and many others — including a 2024 dorm room strangling and a 1990 Florida college town serial killer who inspired the Scream franchise — reflect the far-reaching effects of these crimes.—
Corin Cesaric,
PEOPLE,
2 June 2026
Verb
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In a skeptical market drowning in content and choice, the only sustainable strategy is being the most helpful person in the room—not the loudest or the pushiest.—
William DeCourcy,
Forbes.com,
1 June 2026
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In 2022, at a meeting of the Council of Europe, a human-rights organization, Infantino suggested that holding the World Cup more often might prevent so many African refugees from drowning in the Mediterranean.—
Sam Knight,
New Yorker,
1 June 2026
Cite this Entry
“Asphyxiating.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/asphyxiating. Accessed 7 Jun. 2026.
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