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
There was no outlet for the fire and smoke which suffocated the guests.
—
Gabrielle Rockson, People.com, 30 Apr. 2025
Cause of death: There are several causes of death because Ulric receives the nine lives of a cat: shot in the head, drowned, hanged, car crash, electrocuted, crossbow, stabbed, suffocated after burying himself alive.
Sad or satisfying?
—Carrie Wittmer, Vulture, 19 May 2025
Those both feel a shade high to us, given how suffocating the Florida Panthers have been defensively and how mightily the Leafs stars have struggled.
—James Mirtle, New York Times, 16 May 2025
This is especially vital in large enterprises, where AI efforts often suffocate under organizational silos.
—Kolawole Samuel Adebayo, Forbes.com, 12 May 2025
See All Example Sentences for suffocate
Gabrielle Rockson, People.com, 30 Apr. 2025
Cause of death: There are several causes of death because Ulric receives the nine lives of a cat: shot in the head, drowned, hanged, car crash, electrocuted, crossbow, stabbed, suffocated after burying himself alive.
Sad or satisfying?
—Carrie Wittmer, Vulture, 19 May 2025
Those both feel a shade high to us, given how suffocating the Florida Panthers have been defensively and how mightily the Leafs stars have struggled.
—James Mirtle, New York Times, 16 May 2025
This is especially vital in large enterprises, where AI efforts often suffocate under organizational silos.
—Kolawole Samuel Adebayo, Forbes.com, 12 May 2025
See All Example Sentences for suffocate
Recent Examples of Synonyms for suffocate
Verb
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According to Maggi, someone called police about 10:40 a.m. to report a man was strangling a woman in the area of Normal Avenue just west of Parks Avenue.—
Kelly Davis,
San Diego Union-Tribune,
27 May 2025
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Later that evening, the man strangles her in bed and Fuki, through voiceover, considers her own death.—
Lovia Gyarkye,
HollywoodReporter,
17 May 2025
Verb
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Many of these artisans — traditionally known for their boldness and innovation — are finding ways to maintain quality and brand integrity without asking loyal customers to choke on the price.—
Gretchen Eichenberg,
FOXNews.com,
30 May 2025
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Chia seed water can be a choking hazard, so make sure the seeds are thoroughly soaked to prevent choking.—
Morgan Pearson,
Verywell Health,
26 May 2025
Verb
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Sportsnet cameras caught Stolarz vomiting over the boards and into a bucket brought over by the team’s training staff.—
Jordan McPherson,
Miami Herald,
6 May 2025
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Stolarz, who took an earlier fastball to his facemask, soon skated to the bench and vomited over the boards.—
Dave Hyde,
Sun Sentinel,
6 May 2025
Verb
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That’s no small feat in a world drowning in content.—
Greg Engle,
Forbes.com,
1 June 2025
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In the film, Charles survives a plane crash, nearly drowns and is finally eaten by a shark.—
Jessica Sager,
People.com,
1 June 2025
Verb
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When Baltimore’s Francis Scott Key Bridge collapsed — killing six construction workers and sending thousands of tons of concrete and steel hurtling into the Patapsco River — Carver feared that the foundation’s nearby oyster reef would be smothered beneath the sediment and debris.—
Christine Condon,
Baltimore Sun,
24 May 2025
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As a sickly boy raised by two women, young Darin was smothered with affection.—
Jordan Runtagh,
People.com,
22 May 2025
Cite this Entry
“Suffocate.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/suffocate. Accessed 4 Jun. 2025.
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