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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2
as in to choke
to keep (someone) from breathing by exerting pressure on the windpipe temporarily suffocated by the seat belt

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3
as in to vomit
to experience complete or partial blockage of the windpipe suffocating in the thick, black smoke of the burning building

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Examples Sentences

Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
Recent Examples of suffocate The Florida woman convicted of zipping her boyfriend in a suitcase and leaving him to suffocate to death while trapped inside has been sentenced to life in prison. Kc Baker, People.com, 2 Dec. 2024 But there is a relative lack of economic growth that suffocates individual genius such that people appear lazy and stupid. John Tamny, Forbes, 3 Dec. 2024 After Piz's treatment ended, he was slowly suffocated with anxiety, convinced the cancer was going to come back, and post-traumatic stress disorder, haunted by all his friends who had died of cancer. Simar Bajaj, NBC News, 29 Nov. 2024 Meanwhile, the Gators’ defense was suffocating a week after Texas torched Florida for 5 touchdowns passes and 529 yards during a 49-17 Longhorns win. Edgar Thompson, Orlando Sentinel, 17 Nov. 2024 See all Example Sentences for suffocate 
Recent Examples of Synonyms for suffocate
Verb
  • But for all the glamour that fills The Friday Afternoon Club, there’s a tragedy that anchors it: in 1982, the author’s sister Dominique was strangled.
    Annabel Gutterman, TIME, 10 Dec. 2024
  • The pretty girl killed by a boyfriend, the C.E.O. shot on the street, the subway dancer strangled by the ex-marine.
    Jia Tolentino, The New Yorker, 7 Dec. 2024
Verb
  • Are the older kids' toys, which could be choking hazards, out of reach of a young baby or toddler?
    Nicole Villalpando, Austin American-Statesman, 19 Dec. 2024
  • The police chief added that 911 dispatchers are trained to talk children through difficult situations, including parents choking, CPR, and even giving birth.
    Michael Loria, USA TODAY, 17 Dec. 2024
Verb
  • The trial revealed that by day three of the retreat, Carr-Gomm was vomiting, weak, and in increasing pain, yet those around her, including fellow workshop attendees, misinterpreted her condition as a 'healing crisis' rather than a medical emergency.
    Daniel R. Depetris, Newsweek, 6 Dec. 2024
  • Many people experience their worst digestive issues during the first day or two after their weekly injection, and have learned to delay their shot on days when vomiting or diarrhea would be particularly inconvenient, such as during job interviews, air travel, or holiday parties.
    Adam Gilden, MD, EverydayHealth.com, 6 Dec. 2024
Verb
  • The more vigorous the struggle to escape, the more debt that consumes the drowning victim.
    Forrest Claypool, Chicago Tribune, 5 Dec. 2024
  • As the Dodgers officially welcomed their latest gazillionaire pitcher to a remodeling Dodger Stadium on Tuesday, the churning of the bulldozers in the infield was momentarily drowned out by the whining around the baseball world.
    Bill Plaschke, Los Angeles Times, 4 Dec. 2024
Verb
  • Golden State smothered Minnesota to start the final quarter, holding the Wolves to one point in four minutes.
    Danny Emerman, The Mercury News, 8 Dec. 2024
  • Nothing says Christmas quite like a pecan waffle and smothered hash browns.
    Alana Al-Hatlani, Southern Living, 7 Dec. 2024

Thesaurus Entries Near suffocate

Cite this Entry

“Suffocate.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/suffocate. Accessed 23 Dec. 2024.

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