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.

“We didn’t do a good job of keeping the quarterback in the pocket. We were suffocating ‘em.

From Los Angeles Times • Oct. 1, 2023

The salmon looked as though they were suffocating, but they had plenty to breathe.

From New York Times • Dec. 3, 2020

My chest was expanding, all the normal physical motions were there — but it felt as if I were suffocating.

From Washington Post • Aug. 21, 2020

“You felt trapped, you felt like you were suffocating in all this.”

From The New Yorker • Jun. 16, 2019

The days were suffocating and repetitive, Mama cooking strong-smelling soups that she ate alone because Master stayed out late and Amala felt nauseated and Ugwu had diarrhea.

From "Half of a Yellow Sun" by Chimamanda Ngozi Adichie