1
as in to strangle
to be or cause to be killed by lack of breathable air
the law requires the owner of a discarded refrigerator to remove its door so that a child won't get trapped inside and suffocate
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Example Sentences
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Recent Examples of suffocate
The citizens of Iran are suffocating under an iron fist, and the world must speak collectively.
—
Maryam Lieberman, HollywoodReporter, 23 Jan. 2026
Sierra Canyon’s suffocating defense led to a 4-of-17 shooting performance from 3-point range for the Wolverines.
—Dan Lovi, Daily News, 22 Jan. 2026
There are no green screens or digital inputs; Nwosu and her team actually shot full sequences on the highways of Lagos — a tremendous feat for a debut feature filmmaker working in a city widely known for its suffocating traffic.
—Zac Ntim, Deadline, 22 Jan. 2026
When the truth is crushed in one place, freedom suffocates everywhere.
—Eve Batey, Vanity Fair, 18 Jan. 2026
See All Example Sentences for suffocate
Maryam Lieberman, HollywoodReporter, 23 Jan. 2026
Sierra Canyon’s suffocating defense led to a 4-of-17 shooting performance from 3-point range for the Wolverines.
—Dan Lovi, Daily News, 22 Jan. 2026
There are no green screens or digital inputs; Nwosu and her team actually shot full sequences on the highways of Lagos — a tremendous feat for a debut feature filmmaker working in a city widely known for its suffocating traffic.
—Zac Ntim, Deadline, 22 Jan. 2026
When the truth is crushed in one place, freedom suffocates everywhere.
—Eve Batey, Vanity Fair, 18 Jan. 2026
See All Example Sentences for suffocate
Recent Examples of Synonyms for suffocate
Verb
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Fujita was 20 in 2013 when he was found guilty of strangling and stabbing his former high school girlfriend to death in Wayland.—
Matt Schooley,
CBS News,
8 Jan. 2026
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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
Verb
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The petition, which was granted by a federal judge, cites reports alleging that guards at the facility choked and asphyxiated Campos.—
Laura Romero,
ABC News,
23 Jan. 2026
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In a brain stroke, human tissues die quickly when deprived of oxygen and choked by waste.—
Mrigakshi Dixit,
Interesting Engineering,
21 Jan. 2026
Verb
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Zavala eventually gets up and goes to the bathroom to vomit.—
Escher Walcott,
PEOPLE,
17 Jan. 2026
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Quidone walked past a correction officer, looking sick, and again vomited into a dayroom trash bin before moving sluggishly back to his cell.—
John Annese,
New York Daily News,
16 Jan. 2026
Verb
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In June 2001, Andrea drowned all five of the Yates children before calling 911 and later confessing.—
Jordana Comiter,
PEOPLE,
13 Jan. 2026
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Like the leaves, the roots need oxygen so too much water around them will effectively drown them.—
Leanne Potts,
Better Homes & Gardens,
13 Jan. 2026
Verb
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That is some smothering defense!—
Zach Harper,
New York Times,
7 Jan. 2026
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The matrilineal passage of power—made known by crying tears of blood—has been smothered and controlled by men, but thanks to their new abilities, the twins escape their mother and her malicious husband.—
Literary Hub,
Literary Hub,
6 Jan. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Suffocate.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/suffocate. Accessed 30 Jan. 2026.
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