as in close
lacking fresh air
inside the bunker it was suffocating, and some of the men had already passed out
Synonyms & Similar Words
Relevance
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
1
as in strangling
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
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
2
as in choking
to keep (someone) from breathing by exerting pressure on the windpipe
temporarily suffocated by the seat belt
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
3
as in vomiting
to experience complete or partial blockage of the windpipe
suffocating in the thick, black smoke of the burning building
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
Example Sentences
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Recent Examples of suffocating
Jon Krawczynski, New York Times, 29 May 2025
The stiff feel, plus the suffocating heat of summer in NYC, is a recipe for disaster.
—Genevieve Cepeda, Travel + Leisure, 15 May 2025
Samira Asma-Sadeque, PEOPLE, 16 Sep. 2025
Catholic priest Maximilian Kolbe (Polish actor Marcin Kwaśny) volunteers to die in place of another prisoner, joining nine others condemned by the Nazis, and urges hope and resistance through faith inside the suffocating cell.
—Jill Goldsmith, Deadline, 12 Sep. 2025
See All Example Sentences for suffocating
Adjective
But Finch was unable to come up with any schematic answers for OKC’s suffocating defense or Shai Gilgeous-Alexander’s ruthlessness on offense.
—Jon Krawczynski, New York Times, 29 May 2025
The stiff feel, plus the suffocating heat of summer in NYC, is a recipe for disaster.
—Genevieve Cepeda, Travel + Leisure, 15 May 2025
Verb
Melissa Towne is accused of cutting her daughter Nichole Bradshaw-Towne's throat before suffocating her with a trash bag at a park in Harris County, Texas, in October 2022, Harris County Sheriff Ed Gonzalez said at the time.
—Samira Asma-Sadeque, PEOPLE, 16 Sep. 2025
Catholic priest Maximilian Kolbe (Polish actor Marcin Kwaśny) volunteers to die in place of another prisoner, joining nine others condemned by the Nazis, and urges hope and resistance through faith inside the suffocating cell.
—Jill Goldsmith, Deadline, 12 Sep. 2025
See All Example Sentences for suffocating
Recent Examples of Synonyms for suffocating
Adjective
-
Trump has previously suggested a deal was close.—
Khaleda Rahman,
MSNBC Newsweek,
1 Oct. 2025
-
The trainer visits Pegasus daily and is like the horse’s shadow during hospital visits, keeping a close eye to ensure the safety of Pegasus and those around him.—
Miami Herald,
Miami Herald,
30 Sep. 2025
Verb
-
In other parts of the world, political violence grips countries after every change in leadership, strangling their nation, and putting lives at risk every day.—
Joshua Rhett Miller,
MSNBC Newsweek,
24 Sep. 2025
-
He is accused of also routinely strangling her during assaults.—
Latoya Gayle,
PEOPLE,
22 Sep. 2025
Verb
-
Foreign material in food products presents health risks, including choking, damage to teeth and digestive tract injury.—
Matthew Robinson,
MSNBC Newsweek,
25 Sep. 2025
-
Baltimore led Buffalo by 15 points with four minutes to go Sunday night before choking away a 41-40 loss in what became an instant classic.—
Parker Gabriel,
Denver Post,
13 Sep. 2025
Verb
-
Rates of nausea and vomiting among those patients were 13% and 11% above placebo, respectively.—
Annika Kim Constantino,Bertha Coombs,
CNBC,
30 Sep. 2025
-
Scout stayed at the vet for observation, coughing and vomiting throughout the period, and had her vitals rechecked several hours later.—
Kelli Bender,
PEOPLE,
30 Sep. 2025
Verb
-
During her run as a privateering vessel, the Dash and other ships like her were regarded as a sort of sea militia working for the United States against a stifling British blockade of New England ports.—
Leanna Renee Hieber,
Big Think,
2 Oct. 2025
-
The Real Betis players seemed intent on stifling his influence by kicking him, with Anderson fouled five times — as many as any other player.—
Paul Taylor,
New York Times,
2 Oct. 2025
Adjective
-
Week 5 was another breathless run.—
Steven Louis Goldstein,
New York Times,
1 Oct. 2025
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The headline is that Europe pulled off a stunning victory on foreign soil, a win that was at times breathtaking and breathless, exhilarating and excruciating in equal measure.—
Don Riddell,
CNN Money,
29 Sep. 2025
Verb
-
Tight end Dalton Kincaid continues to be a steady target in the middle of the field, and the Buffalo defense has been just as dominant, smothering passing attacks and forcing timely turnovers.—
Ben Verbrugge,
MSNBC Newsweek,
28 Sep. 2025
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Liam Berlien was credited with smothering the ball, giving his team a first down at the East Ridge 7-yard line.—
Tris Wykes,
Twin Cities,
27 Sep. 2025
Adjective
-
While this type of furniture can lend itself to a room feeling stiff and stuffy, The Douglas’ rooms feel lived in and inviting.—
Elliott Harrell,
Southern Living,
29 Sep. 2025
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Office chairs can so often feel stuffy and stiff, but in textured boucle?—
Audrey Lee,
Architectural Digest,
25 Sep. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Suffocating.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/suffocating. Accessed 6 Oct. 2025.
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