View synonyms for suffocate

suffocate

[suhf-uh-keyt]

Phonetic (Standard)IPA

verb (used with object)

suffocated, suffocating

to kill by preventing the access of air to the blood through the lungs or analogous organs, as gills; strangle.
to impede the respiration of.
to discomfort by a lack of fresh or cool air.
to overcome or extinguish; suppress.

verb (used without object)

suffocated, suffocating

to become suffocated; stifle; smother.
to be uncomfortable due to a lack of fresh or cool air.

suffocate

/ ˈsʌfəˌkeɪt /

verb

to kill or be killed by the deprivation of oxygen, as by obstruction of the air passage or inhalation of noxious gases
to block the air passages or have the air passages blocked
to feel or cause to feel discomfort from heat and lack of air

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Other Word Forms

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

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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

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Word History and Origins

Origin of suffocate¹

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

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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.

Like the boy she watched suffocate because the hospital didn’t have enough ventilators.

Related Words

sufflate suffocation

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