as in close
lacking fresh air
inside the bunker it was suffocating, and some of the men had already passed out
Synonyms & Similar Words
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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
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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
Devlina Sarkar, MSNBC Newsweek, 28 Sep. 2025
The suffocating smell of overflowing ashtrays.
—Zuzana Říhová, Literary Hub, 26 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
The crowd was relentless with a suffocating pressure throughout the match.
—Devlina Sarkar, MSNBC Newsweek, 28 Sep. 2025
The suffocating smell of overflowing ashtrays.
—Zuzana Říhová, Literary Hub, 26 Sep. 2025
See All Example Sentences for suffocating
Recent Examples of Synonyms for suffocating
Adjective
-
What to Know For Dedication Night, a family member or close friend will join each celebrity for their dedication dance.—
Amanda Castro,
MSNBC Newsweek,
15 Oct. 2025
-
The Andromeda Galaxy The Andromeda Galaxy lies almost directly overhead in the hours surrounding midnight on October nights, presenting a perfect opportunity to observe the Milky Way's closest neighbor without the atmospheric interference that comes from being close to the horizon.—
Anthony Wood,
Space.com,
14 Oct. 2025
Verb
-
Rader would often stalk his victims, some for months, before binding their arms and legs, then slowly strangling them (with the exception of Bright).—
Jessica Sager,
PEOPLE,
11 Oct. 2025
-
He was sentenced to die in 1983 for raping and strangling a woman in Newberry County and stealing her jewelry, according to court records.—
Greg Norman,
FOXNews.com,
11 Oct. 2025
Verb
-
How about firing choking smoke bombs at them?—
Howie Carr,
Boston Herald,
11 Oct. 2025
-
In 2019 he was charged with assault and accused of choking and pushing a woman and preventing her from calling 911.—
Shelly Bradbury,
Denver Post,
10 Oct. 2025
Verb
-
According to the Cleveland Clinic, HG involves severe nausea and vomiting during pregnancy.—
Hannah Sacks,
PEOPLE,
14 Oct. 2025
-
Actually, Alma does suffer from ulcers, which cause her extraordinary stomach pain and vomiting at inconvenient moments, and cause viewers to wonder not if but when such clumsy symbolic traits will be trotted out in the future.—
David Fear,
Rolling Stone,
9 Oct. 2025
Verb
-
In the absence of a clear chain of command and accountability, industry regulators are more likely to impose broad, restrictive, stifling innovation and creating significant compliance burdens.—
Nelson Lim,
Fortune,
10 Oct. 2025
-
Constructed of a cozy blend of acrylic, polyester, cotton, viscose, and spandex, the top is warm but not stifling.—
Gabriela Izquierdo,
Southern Living,
10 Oct. 2025
Adjective
-
Week 5 was another breathless run.—
Steven Louis Goldstein,
New York Times,
1 Oct. 2025
-
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
-
On the table next to Captain Purdie’s bunk is what looks like a copper coin, a fringe of glutinous seaweed smothering it to the surface of the wood.—
Literary Hub,
Literary Hub,
10 Oct. 2025
-
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
Adjective
-
This chipping away at self can happen slowly, over time, with each passing day spent resolving sibling squabbles, staying up late to help with homework, cooking family meals, cleaning, carpooling, changing diapers, and wiping stuffy noses.—
Melissa Willets,
Parents,
10 Oct. 2025
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Despite the irony of her preoccupation with designer labels designating her as the stuffy one in the Spice Girls, she was met with scorn by the fashion establishment.—
Scarlett Harris,
Time,
9 Oct. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Suffocating.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/suffocating. Accessed 16 Oct. 2025.
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