asphyxiate
verb
as·phyx·i·ate
as-ˈfik-sē-ˌāt 
əs-
asphyxiated; asphyxiating
: to cause asphyxia in : to kill, suspend animation in, or make unconscious through want of adequate oxygen, presence of noxious agents, or other obstruction to normal breathing
The murder victim was asphyxiated.
: to become asphyxiated
… ended in several deaths, including that of a … secretary who asphyxiated during a smoke bombing.—
Robert I. Friedman
Robert I. FriedmanExamples of asphyxiate in a Sentence
Recent Examples on the Web
On the occasion of his 100th birthday last week, former-President Jimmy Carter received praise from across the political spectrum for his leadership in freeing important parts of the U.S. economy from the asphyxiating tentacles of the regulatory state.
—Dan Ikenson, Forbes, 10 Oct. 2024
Over the past five years alone, people have been crushed, asphyxiated, struck by mooring lines, ensnared in equipment, fallen overboard or otherwise killed or injured on Synergy’s watch, USA TODAY found.
—USA TODAY, 25 Sep. 2024
That protocol forbids its signatories to use asphyxiating gas on one another (without explicitly banning its use against a non-party) although, at the same time, demands its members’ consent that the prohibition on asphyxiating gases be universally binding.
—Richard Price, Foreign Affairs, 5 Sep. 2013
Zoom in: Infected poultry has to be culled by asphyxiating the birds.
—Tina Reed, Axios, 17 July 2024
See all Example Sentences for asphyxiate 
These examples are automatically compiled from online sources to
illustrate current usage. Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of
Merriam-Webster or its editors.
Send us feedback
about these examples.
Dan Ikenson, Forbes, 10 Oct. 2024
Over the past five years alone, people have been crushed, asphyxiated, struck by mooring lines, ensnared in equipment, fallen overboard or otherwise killed or injured on Synergy’s watch, USA TODAY found.
—USA TODAY, 25 Sep. 2024
That protocol forbids its signatories to use asphyxiating gas on one another (without explicitly banning its use against a non-party) although, at the same time, demands its members’ consent that the prohibition on asphyxiating gases be universally binding.
—Richard Price, Foreign Affairs, 5 Sep. 2013
Zoom in: Infected poultry has to be culled by asphyxiating the birds.
—Tina Reed, Axios, 17 July 2024
See all Example Sentences for asphyxiate
Dictionary Entries Near asphyxiate
Cite this Entry
“Asphyxiate.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/asphyxiate. Accessed 14 Nov. 2024.
Copy CitationKids Definition
Medical Definition
asphyxiate
verb
as·phyx·i·ate
-sē-ˌāt
asphyxiated; asphyxiating
: to cause asphyxia in
also
: to kill or make unconscious through inadequate oxygen, presence of noxious agents, or other obstruction to normal breathing
: to become asphyxiated
Love words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
Share