suffocate
verb
suf·fo·cate
| \ ˈsə-fə-ˌkāt
\
\
suffocated;
suffocating
Definition of suffocate
1a(1)
: to stop the respiration of (as by strangling or asphyxiation)
(2)
: to deprive of oxygen
b
: to make uncomfortable by want of fresh air
2
: to impede or stop the development of
1
: to become suffocated:
a(1)
: to die from being unable to breathe
(2)
: to die from lack of oxygen
b
: to be uncomfortable through lack of fresh air
2
: to become checked in development
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Other Words from suffocate
suffocation
\ ˌsə-fə-ˈkā-shən
\
noun
\
noun
suffocative
\ ˈsə-fə-ˌkā-tiv
\
adjective
\
adjective
Examples of suffocate in a Sentence
Don't put that pillow over her face—she could suffocate.
The poor dog could suffocate in the car on a hot day like this.
The victims were found suffocated.
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Recent Examples on the Web
But near the Jacunda national forest, thunder boomed as firefighters worked to suffocate flames that continued to burn into the evening. — Washington Post, "Brazilian firefighters toil in Amazon region hazy with smoke," 27 Aug. 2019 At the end of Season 4, a guard suffocated Poussey Washington (Samira Wiley) while restraining her, one of the most heartbreaking moments in the show’s history. — Sophie Gilbert, The Atlantic, "The Prescience of Orange Is the New Black," 25 July 2019 The Indiana All-Stars suffocated Kentucky with a 19-4 start and pushed the lead to 48-26 on a last-second 3-pointer by Zionsville’s Isaiah Thompson before halftime. — Kyle Neddenriep, Indianapolis Star, "Indiana All-Stars dominate Kentucky boys with 33-point win," 7 June 2019 The woman suffocated her daughter with a dry cleaner’s bag, hanged her with a red extension cord, then sent the videos to taunt her ex. — Tim Prudente, baltimoresun.com, "Speaking for baby Rose: How a Baltimore detective found his purpose investigating child abuse," 6 June 2019 Kendall recalls one night when Bundy closed the chimney duct and stuck a towel under her door, leaving her to suffocate. — Alexis Jones, Marie Claire, "Elizabeth Kendall's Ted Bundy Memoir Is the Inspiration Behind the New Netflix Film," 3 May 2019 Prosecutors said a pillow also was used to suffocate Stewart, and a cord wrapped around his neck had been tightened like a tourniquet. — Kevin Grasha, Cincinnati.com, "Woman sentenced to life without parole in killing of 89-year-old Northside man," 14 Mar. 2018 The record-low, bone-chilling temperatures and wind chills currently suffocating the Greater Cincinnati area will dissipate starting Sunday, but what exactly is there to do to stay sane and active, save from going to the gym? — Monroe Trombly, Cincinnati.com, "What to do in Cincy when it's freezing outside," 3 Jan. 2018 Julie Wood, deputy director of the Charles River Watershed Association, said that in addition to the extreme heat, the fish suffocating may also be linked to the cyanobacteria — toxic blue-green algae — that bloom in the river every year. — Sarah Wu, BostonGlobe.com, "Myriad dead fish have shown up at the Charles River Dam. Could summer heat be the culprit?," 1 Aug. 2019These example sentences are selected automatically from various online news sources to reflect current usage of the word 'suffocate.' Views expressed in the examples do not represent the opinion of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
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More Definitions for suffocate
suffocate
verb
English Language Learners Definition of suffocate
: to die because you are unable to breathe
: to kill (someone) by making breathing impossible
: to be uncomfortable because there is not enough fresh air
See the full definition for suffocate in the English Language Learners Dictionary
suffocate
verb
suf·fo·cate
| \ ˈsə-fə-ˌkāt
\
\
suffocated;
suffocating
Kids Definition of suffocate
1
: to kill by stopping the breathing of or by depriving of oxygen to breathe
2
: to die from being unable to breathe
3
: to be or become choked or smothered
Weeds are suffocating the flowers we planted.
4
: to suffer from lack of fresh air
suffocate
verb
suf·fo·cate
| \ ˈsəf-ə-ˌkāt
\
\
suffocated;
suffocating
Medical Definition of suffocate
1
: to stop the respiration of (as by strangling or asphyxiation)
2
: to deprive of oxygen
: to die from being unable to breathe