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.
was suffocating
-
past progressiveof suffocate.past progressive
Used to describe an ongoing action or continuous state that was happening at a specific time in the past.
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.
The thick canopy blocked out the light, and the humidity was suffocating.
From National Geographic ● Jan. 23, 2024
Working in greenhouses in the dry heat of southern Israel was suffocating, but Yo grew to love her life.
From Los Angeles Times ● Dec. 20, 2023
“The lights went out. … The smoke was suffocating inside the rail car but also outside,” Alikaniotis said.
From Seattle Times ● Mar. 2, 2023
Security in Multan was suffocating for all travellers - players, media and fans.
From BBC ● Dec. 16, 2022
I was suffocating even before we left the house, but rio one bothered to ask me how I felt.
From "The Diary of a Young Girl" by Anne Frank
