suffocate
verb (used with object)
to kill by preventing the access of air to the blood through the lungs or analogous organs, as gills; strangle.
are suffocating
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present progressiveof suffocate.present progressive
Used to describe an ongoing action or state that is currently taking place in the immediate present.
Example Sentences
Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.
I’ve worked in offices for most of my life, and the “grayge” neutrals are suffocating.
From The Wall Street Journal ● Jan. 5, 2026
"People are suffocating because of housing," said Leandro's neighbour Costa, also from Brazil.
From Reuters ● Sep. 30, 2023
“They are suffocating the youth and the youth flee because of their suffocation.”
From Seattle Times ● Dec. 18, 2022
These are suffocating scenes, lit with the raking sunlight of a Giorgio de Chirico painting and infused with the fetishistic menace of a David Lynch film.
From New York Times ● Jul. 7, 2021
I will express my notions on this subject in writing to you, for at this moment they are suffocating me; I am feverish, my feet are standing in the ashes of my Paraclete.
From Honorine by Honoré de Balzac
