as in to strangle
to cause (someone) to stop breathing and often to become unconscious and die
The murder victim was asphyxiated.
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Recent Examples of asphyxiate
Two milligrams of fentanyl — think 10 grains of salt — would asphyxiate a teen in his bed.
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Cheri Lucas Rowlands, Longreads, 25 June 2024
The swelling blocked his windpipe and led him to asphyxiate, says the notice of claim filed Tuesday with the Court of Claims.
—Graham Rayman, New York Daily News, 5 Mar. 2024
During Vallow's 2022 trial, a forensic pathologist revealed during testimony that J.J. was asphyxiated with a plastic bag and duct tape over his mouth, East Idaho News, KTVB reporter Alexandra Duggan and Fox 10 reported at the time.
—Corin Cesaric, Peoplemag, 1 June 2024
The 10-count indictment accuses Ibarra of hitting the Augusta University College of Nursing student in the head, asphyxiating her and pulling up her clothing with the intent to rape her.
—CBS News, 31 May 2024
See all Example Sentences for asphyxiate 
Cheri Lucas Rowlands, Longreads, 25 June 2024
The swelling blocked his windpipe and led him to asphyxiate, says the notice of claim filed Tuesday with the Court of Claims.
—Graham Rayman, New York Daily News, 5 Mar. 2024
During Vallow's 2022 trial, a forensic pathologist revealed during testimony that J.J. was asphyxiated with a plastic bag and duct tape over his mouth, East Idaho News, KTVB reporter Alexandra Duggan and Fox 10 reported at the time.
—Corin Cesaric, Peoplemag, 1 June 2024
The 10-count indictment accuses Ibarra of hitting the Augusta University College of Nursing student in the head, asphyxiating her and pulling up her clothing with the intent to rape her.
—CBS News, 31 May 2024
See all Example Sentences for asphyxiate
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Cite this Entry
“Asphyxiate.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/asphyxiate. Accessed 21 Nov. 2024.
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