suffocate

[suhf-uh-keyt]

verb (used with object)

suffocated, suffocating 

1. to kill by preventing the access of air to the blood through the lungs or analogous organs, as gills; strangle.

2. to impede the respiration of.

3. to discomfort by a lack of fresh or cool air.

4. to overcome or extinguish; suppress.

verb (used without object)

suffocated, suffocating 

1. to become suffocated; stifle; smother.

2. to be uncomfortable due to a lack of fresh or cool air.

suffocate

/ ˈsʌfəˌkeɪt /

verb

1. to kill or be killed by the deprivation of oxygen, as by obstruction of the air passage or inhalation of noxious gases

2. to block the air passages or have the air passages blocked

3. to feel or cause to feel discomfort from heat and lack of air

Other Word Forms

• suffocatingly adverb
• suffocation noun
• suffocative adjective
• unsuffocated adjective
• unsuffocative adjective
• suffocating adjective

Word History and Origins

Origin of suffocate¹

First recorded in 1520–30; from Latin suffōcātus (past participle of suffōcāre “to choke, stifle”), equivalent to suf- suf- + -fōc- (combining form of fauc-, stem of faucēs “throat”) + -ātus -ate ¹

Word History and Origins

Origin of suffocate¹

C16: from Latin suffōcāre, from _sub- + faucēs throat

Example Sentences

The Trojans were especially suffocating underneath, blocking 15 shots — the most since Gottlieb became coach.

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And it has been unable to stem the fuel shortage that is suffocating the country, including the capital Bamako.

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Don’t let your plants dry out or sit in water, because that will suffocate the roots.

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It had a suffocating defensive effort to thank for that.

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The warm evening air is replaced by callous, suffocating water.

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Related Words

• asphyxiate 
• drown 
• smother 
• stifle 
• strangle