1
as in strangles
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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Recent Examples of suffocates
What did work in one of the older movies, though, was the Oxygen Destroyer device, which effectively suffocates the creature.
—
Sergio Pereira, Space.com, 27 Feb. 2026
Complexity is exactly what suffocates scale.
—May Habib, Fortune, 24 Feb. 2026
Both novel and opera include a scene in which Salvador Dalí almost suffocates after getting his head stuck in a scuba helmet at an art opening.
—Emma Allen, New Yorker, 9 Feb. 2026
The piercing doesn't necessarily damage the trees, but their excrement, which is high in sugar, stains the trees and blocks photosynthesis, which eventually suffocates the trees, the researchers said.
—Julia Jacobo, ABC News, 9 Feb. 2026
Aristidou utilizes Danae, whose controlling dad suffocates her with his seemingly overbearing rigidness, as a counterpoint to the other extreme of fatherhood.
—Carlos Aguilar, Variety, 31 Jan. 2026
Overwatering is the most common cause of yellow ficus leaves, as soggy soil suffocates roots.
—Gemma Johnstone, The Spruce, 29 Jan. 2026
When the truth is crushed in one place, freedom suffocates everywhere.
—Eve Batey, Vanity Fair, 18 Jan. 2026
When the truth is crushed in one place, freedom suffocates everywhere.
—Scott Roxborough, HollywoodReporter, 17 Jan. 2026
Sergio Pereira, Space.com, 27 Feb. 2026
Complexity is exactly what suffocates scale.
—May Habib, Fortune, 24 Feb. 2026
Both novel and opera include a scene in which Salvador Dalí almost suffocates after getting his head stuck in a scuba helmet at an art opening.
—Emma Allen, New Yorker, 9 Feb. 2026
The piercing doesn't necessarily damage the trees, but their excrement, which is high in sugar, stains the trees and blocks photosynthesis, which eventually suffocates the trees, the researchers said.
—Julia Jacobo, ABC News, 9 Feb. 2026
Aristidou utilizes Danae, whose controlling dad suffocates her with his seemingly overbearing rigidness, as a counterpoint to the other extreme of fatherhood.
—Carlos Aguilar, Variety, 31 Jan. 2026
Overwatering is the most common cause of yellow ficus leaves, as soggy soil suffocates roots.
—Gemma Johnstone, The Spruce, 29 Jan. 2026
When the truth is crushed in one place, freedom suffocates everywhere.
—Eve Batey, Vanity Fair, 18 Jan. 2026
When the truth is crushed in one place, freedom suffocates everywhere.
—Scott Roxborough, HollywoodReporter, 17 Jan. 2026
Recent Examples of Synonyms for suffocates
Verb
-
As Iran strangles the Strait of Hormuz, countries have scrambled for alternative routes.—
Samy Magdy,
Los Angeles Times,
28 Mar. 2026
-
As Grace looks on in horror, her soon-to-be husband strangles Ursula and snaps her neck.—
Louis Peitzman,
Vulture,
20 Mar. 2026
Verb
-
In the second season, a patient under the influence wraps his arm around a young nurse’s neck and chokes her until the charge nurse intervenes.—
Jennifer Obel,
Twin Cities,
22 Apr. 2026
-
Jasmine almost chokes on her corn dog when that comes out of Janet’s mouth.—
Brian Moylan,
Vulture,
9 Apr. 2026
Verb
-
Shows were led by a sentient wad of meat, a talk-show host who vomits in front of guests, and a reality-TV star who never shows his face.—
Eric Vilas-Boas,
Vulture,
18 Mar. 2026
-
Absinthe-eyed, she projectile-vomits blunt observations and also oysters onto the heavies, overimbibing her way into her own grave once she’s inevitably discarded with a shot and shove down a stairwell (a barely-there John Magaro plays one of the gangsters).—
Ryan Lattanzio,
IndieWire,
4 Mar. 2026
Verb
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Once in flowerbeds and vegetable gardens, the plant depletes potassium necessary for plant health and smothers low-growing plants.—
Mary Marlowe Leverette,
Southern Living,
16 Apr. 2026
-
The pieces knit together to form a cast iron surface that sheds water, smothers weeds and holds up for a long time.—
Paul Cappiello,
Louisville Courier Journal,
6 Mar. 2026
Verb
-
Their gigantic bigotry drowns out their smaller accomplishments.—
Alan M. Dershowitz,
New York Daily News,
16 Apr. 2026
-
But the staggering amount of money poured into this club by BlueCo over the past three years drowns out all attempts at mitigation and erases all excuses.—
Liam Twomey,
New York Times,
13 Apr. 2026
Verb
-
Conversely, destructive energy hinders performance, breeds resentment, and stifles innovation.—
Rebecca Ahmed,
Big Think,
22 Apr. 2026
-
Overregulation stifles business, regardless of industry.—
John Cleveland,
Boston Herald,
7 Apr. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Suffocates.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/suffocates. Accessed 30 Apr. 2026.
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