as in to strangle
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 asphyxiate
Spota was the working prosecutor on the case of Johnny Pius, a young boy who was found beaten and asphyxiated in his Smithtown, Long Island schoolyard in April 1979.
—
Ct Jones, Rolling Stone, 28 Mar. 2025
In court, his lawyers argued that officers compressed his chest with their body weight, leading him to asphyxiate.
—Sharon Bernstein, Sacramento Bee, 6 Mar. 2025
Medical examiner says Riley was asphyxiated and had blunt-force head trauma
Riley’s father, mother and stepfather left the courtroom before a medical examiner testified about their daughter’s injuries and cause of death.
—Holly Yan, CNN, 19 Nov. 2024
It was revealed at Lori’s trial that J.J. was asphyxiated while Tylee’s cause of death was undetermined due to the state of her remains.
—Nicole Acosta, People.com, 4 Mar. 2025
See All Example Sentences for asphyxiate
Ct Jones, Rolling Stone, 28 Mar. 2025
In court, his lawyers argued that officers compressed his chest with their body weight, leading him to asphyxiate.
—Sharon Bernstein, Sacramento Bee, 6 Mar. 2025
Medical examiner says Riley was asphyxiated and had blunt-force head trauma
Riley’s father, mother and stepfather left the courtroom before a medical examiner testified about their daughter’s injuries and cause of death.
—Holly Yan, CNN, 19 Nov. 2024
It was revealed at Lori’s trial that J.J. was asphyxiated while Tylee’s cause of death was undetermined due to the state of her remains.
—Nicole Acosta, People.com, 4 Mar. 2025
See All Example Sentences for asphyxiate
Recent Examples of Synonyms for asphyxiate
Verb
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Donald has two open criminal contempt cases, including one for allegedly strangling his husband twice in one night, PIX11 reported, citing prosecutors.—
Becca Longmire,
People.com,
5 Aug. 2025
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Myers was strangled with her pantyhose, and Eckart with her shoelace and a strap from her overalls.—
Kristine Phillips,
IndyStar,
4 Aug. 2025
Verb
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If flooding is observed, then turn around, don't drown.—
NC Weather Bot,
Charlotte Observer,
12 Aug. 2025
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Rodriguez, a Woodbury resident, drowned in White Bear Lake in late June.—
Talia McWright,
Twin Cities,
10 Aug. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Asphyxiate.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/asphyxiate. Accessed 20 Aug. 2025.
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