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.
suffocating
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present participleof suffocate.present participle
A verb form that is used in progressive verb constructions and may also function as a modifier or a gerund.
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a word derived from
suffocate.
suffocateverb (used with object)to kill by preventing the access of air to the blood through the lungs or analogous organs, as gills; strangle.
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.
Yet, by our own doing, Washington is suffocating in the consequences of our own inaction.
From The Wall Street Journal ● Jul. 24, 2026
The conception of the role, marked by a dim view of stardom’s suffocating alienation, was something Jolie clearly understood.
From Los Angeles Times ● Jun. 26, 2026
"We're suffocating in the streets, we're suffocating in the subway and we're even suffocating in our rental," he said, adding they would be moving to an air-conditioned hotel room.
From Barron's ● Jun. 23, 2026
Alison Stewart said her train was "absolutely suffocating" without air-con during a heatwave in Boston.
From BBC ● Jun. 18, 2026
I shook off sleep and Elnora’s suffocating embrace.
From "Ophelia" by Lisa Klein
