suffocate

American  

[suhf-uh-keyt] / ˈsʌf əˌkeɪt /

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.

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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 British  

/ 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

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Other Word Forms

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

Etymology

Origin of suffocate

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

Example Sentences

Their suffocating defense was ranked among the best in the country.

From The Wall Street Journal

Iraqi authorities have warned that these suffocating storms will intensify further, adding urgency to address the root of the problem.

From Barron's

But at the same time, is that suffocating to your own self-growth?

From Los Angeles Times

“It’s a heavy, heavy load. It’s just suffocating at times when it’s your parent,” she said.

From MarketWatch

Some moments play out in too many close-ups, suffocating the scene; an occasional edit inadvertently disorients our sense of place.

From The Wall Street Journal

Related Words

• asphyxiate
• drown
• smother
• stifle
• strangle