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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Antonyms & Near Antonyms
2
Example Sentences
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Recent Examples of suffocate
His team suffocated opponents on defense and picked them apart on offense.
—
Bruce Feldman, New York Times, 2 Jan. 2026
Wiholl Mock-Neck Lounge Set Similar to Hudson’s turtleneck sweater, this Wiholl two-piece has a similar high collar, except the mock-neck won’t feel as suffocating or uncomfortable.
—Alyssa Morin, InStyle, 1 Jan. 2026
Workers in the scrap yard were seen using construction equipment to try to suffocate the blaze.
—Kris Habermehl, CBS News, 29 Dec. 2025
Bryce Young and company were unable to get anything going against a suffocating Seattle defense, which has been one of the best units in the league all season long.
—Scott Thompson, FOXNews.com, 28 Dec. 2025
See All Example Sentences for suffocate
Bruce Feldman, New York Times, 2 Jan. 2026
Wiholl Mock-Neck Lounge Set Similar to Hudson’s turtleneck sweater, this Wiholl two-piece has a similar high collar, except the mock-neck won’t feel as suffocating or uncomfortable.
—Alyssa Morin, InStyle, 1 Jan. 2026
Workers in the scrap yard were seen using construction equipment to try to suffocate the blaze.
—Kris Habermehl, CBS News, 29 Dec. 2025
Bryce Young and company were unable to get anything going against a suffocating Seattle defense, which has been one of the best units in the league all season long.
—Scott Thompson, FOXNews.com, 28 Dec. 2025
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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This isn't the first time - or even the second - Johnson has used his training to save a child from choking.—
Nick Caloway,
CBS News,
10 Jan. 2026
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Local news outlets, however, reported that the actor has been in an intensive care unit at a hospital in Seoul after collapsing while choking on food at his home.—
Anna Kaufman,
USA Today,
5 Jan. 2026
Verb
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That included three or more loose stools within a 24-hour period, or what is more than normal for that specific person, or vomiting with one of the following symptoms – diarrhea, muscle aches, headaches, abdominal cramps or a fever.—
Steven Yablonski,
CBS News,
12 Jan. 2026
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In clinical trials, Nereus helped up to 90 percent of people prone to motion sickness avoid vomiting while riding on a boat.—
Emily Kay Votruba,
EverydayHealth.com,
8 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 15 Jan. 2026.
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