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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Horner told a false story about hitting the little girl with his van and then strangling her in a panic, according to testimony of the case’s lead investigator, Texas Ranger Job Espinoza.—
Harriet Ramos,
Fort Worth Star-Telegram,
24 Apr. 2026
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White House press secretary Karoline Leavitt told reporters on Wednesday that the blockade was strangling Iran’s economy.—
Bart Jansen,
USA Today,
23 Apr. 2026
Verb
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In contrast to typical airline food drowning in salt and sauces, the culinary offerings aboard Aero are a delight, with meals created in partnership with Erewhon, Spago, Parm, Sadelle’s and Flora Farms along with an open bar of top-shelf spirits and Veuve Clicquot champagne.—
Beth Landman,
HollywoodReporter,
28 Apr. 2026
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In a separate incident, two Carnival passengers also died in drowning cases at the company’s private Bahamas resort.—
Stepheny Price,
FOXNews.com,
28 Apr. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Asphyxiating.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/asphyxiating. Accessed 30 Apr. 2026.
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