suffocate

verb

suf·​fo·​cate ˈsə-fə-ˌkāt 

suffocated; suffocating

transitive verb

1

a(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

intransitive verb

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

suffocation

ˌsə-fə-ˈkā-shən 

noun

suffocative

ˈsə-fə-ˌkā-tiv 

adjective

Synonyms

• choke
• smother
• stifle
• strangle

Examples of suffocate in a Sentence

The poor dog could suffocate in the car on a hot day like this.

Don't put your head in a plastic bag—you could suffocate.

Recent Examples on the Web

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

The 12-year-old suffocated during his first night at the camp last February while being required to occupy a small, one-person sleeping enclosure, according to the medical examiner’s autopsy report, which ruled his death a homicide. —Rebekah Riess, CNN, 6 Nov. 2024

Word History

Etymology

borrowed from Latin suffōcātus, past participle of suffōcāre "to stifle, choke, deprive of air, squeeze together," from suf-, assimilated form of sub- sub- + -fōcāre, verbal derivative of fauc-, faux (ordinarily in plural faucēs) "upper part of the throat, pharynx, windpipe," of obscure origin

First Known Use

15th century, in the meaning defined at transitive sense 1a(1)

Kids Definition

suffocate

verb

suf·​fo·​cate ˈsəf-ə-ˌkāt 

suffocated; suffocating

1

a

: to stop the breathing of (as by strangling)

b

: to deprive of oxygen

c

: to make uncomfortable by want of fresh air

2

: to become suffocated

especially : to die or suffer from being unable to breathe or from lack of oxygen

suffocation

ˌsəf-ə-ˈkā-shən 

noun

Medical Definition

suffocate

verb

suf·​fo·​cate ˈsəf-ə-ˌkāt 

suffocated; suffocating

transitive verb

1

: to stop the respiration of (as by strangling or asphyxiation)

2

: to deprive of oxygen

intransitive verb

: to die from being unable to breathe

suffocative

-ˌkāt-iv 

adjective