asphyxiate

[ as-fik-see-eyt ]

/ æsˈfɪk siˌeɪt /

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See synonyms for asphyxiate on Thesaurus.com

verb (used with object), as·phyx·i·at·ed, as·phyx·i·at·ing.

to produce asphyxia in.

to cause to die or lose consciousness by impairing normal breathing, as by gas or other noxious agents; choke; suffocate; smother.

verb (used without object), as·phyx·i·at·ed, as·phyx·i·at·ing.

to become asphyxiated.

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His boss, whom he admires, is waiting to meet with him about the big project.

His boss, who he admires, is waiting to meet with him about the big project.

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Origin of asphyxiate

First recorded in 1830–40; asphyxi(a) + -ate¹

OTHER WORDS FROM asphyxiate

as·phyx·i·a·tion

[as-fik-see-ey-shuhn] /æsˌfɪk siˈeɪ ʃən/ nounas·phyx·i·a·tor, noun

WORDS THAT MAY BE CONFUSED WITH asphyxiate

asphyxia, asphyxiation

Words nearby asphyxiate

aspherical, aspherical surface, asphodel, asphyxia, asphyxiant, asphyxiate, asphyxiation, aspic, aspidistra, Aspinwall, aspirant

How to use asphyxiate in a sentence

If they pass, the Sarco will release nitrogen gas, which asphyxiates them in minutes.
Why AI shouldn’t be making life-and-death decisions|Melissa Heikkilä|October 17, 2022|MIT Technology Review
In March 2020, Daniel Prude asphyxiated after being hooded and handcuffed by police in Rochester, NY.
To Protect the Next George Floyd, We Must Remove the Threat of Police Violence from Everyday Life|Phillip Atiba Goff|April 20, 2021|Time
In his mind, he says, play constant images of Khashoggi, who evidence indicates was slowly asphyxiated by a team of agents and dismembered with a bone saw.
A new movie about Jamal Khashoggi reveals a protégé who is alive and under assault|Steven Zeitchik|January 12, 2021|Washington Post
Pino, my old gardener, thinks this is a bad idea—that it will soot up in no time, asphyxiating the vertebrates below who just want to sit near the fire and read a book.
The global rally stalls out, but Goldman Sachs is doubling down on value stocks|Bernhard Warner|December 7, 2020|Fortune

It is not only that such women do nothing themselves—they slowly asphyxiate their friends, their brothers, or their husbands.
Three Addresses to Girls at School|James Maurice Wilson
A tablespoonful poured on a cow-chip and rolled down a dog hole will asphyxiate the entire family.
Bat Wing Bowles|Dane Coolidge
Compression of the vagus nerve may slow the child's pulse and asphyxiate it through lack of oxygen in the blood.
The Ethics of Medical Homicide and Mutilation|Austin O'Malley
When version has been done haste may compress the head in the tight cervix and asphyxiate the child.
The Ethics of Medical Homicide and Mutilation|Austin O'Malley
It might precipitate, into the air, gases which would asphyxiate us or cause a general conflagration.
Astronomy of To-day|Cecil G. Dolmage

British Dictionary definitions for asphyxiate

asphyxiate

/ (æsˈfɪksɪˌeɪt) /

verb

to cause asphyxia in or undergo asphyxia; smother; suffocate

Derived forms of asphyxiate

asphyxiation, nounasphyxiator, noun

Collins English Dictionary - Complete & Unabridged 2012 Digital Edition © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012

asphyxiate

Origin of asphyxiate

OTHER WORDS FROM asphyxiate

WORDS THAT MAY BE CONFUSED WITH asphyxiate

Words nearby asphyxiate

Words related to asphyxiate

How to use asphyxiate in a sentence

British Dictionary definitions for asphyxiate

Derived forms of asphyxiate