suffocate
verb
suf·fo·cate
ˈsə-fə-ˌkāt 
suffocated; suffocating
1
a(1)
: to stop the respiration of (as by strangling or asphyxiation)
(2)
: to deprive of oxygen
b
: to make uncomfortable by want of fresh air
2
: to impede or stop the development of
1
b
: to be uncomfortable through lack of fresh air
2
: to become checked in development
Examples of suffocate in a Sentence
The poor dog could suffocate in the car on a hot day like this.
Don't put your head in a plastic bag—you could suffocate.
Recent Examples on the Web
Golden State suffocated the Knicks down the stretch, turning a close game into a decisive victory.
—
Kristian Winfield, New York Daily News, 5 Mar. 2025
The reality is that America’s healthcare system is suffocating.
—Renee Hsia, Forbes, 26 Feb. 2025
This can feel especially suffocating for introverted parents who are often drained by lively, interpersonal exchanges and energized by quiet, low-stimulation environments.
—Christian Dashiell, Parents, 25 Feb. 2025
Phoenix police previously said Henry, then 22, confessed to suffocating her son, Zane Henry, 3, and daughters Miraya Henry, almost 2, and Catalaya Rios, 7 months, in January 2020.
—Nicole Acosta, People.com, 18 Feb. 2025
See All Example Sentences for suffocate
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Kristian Winfield, New York Daily News, 5 Mar. 2025
The reality is that America’s healthcare system is suffocating.
—Renee Hsia, Forbes, 26 Feb. 2025
This can feel especially suffocating for introverted parents who are often drained by lively, interpersonal exchanges and energized by quiet, low-stimulation environments.
—Christian Dashiell, Parents, 25 Feb. 2025
Phoenix police previously said Henry, then 22, confessed to suffocating her son, Zane Henry, 3, and daughters Miraya Henry, almost 2, and Catalaya Rios, 7 months, in January 2020.
—Nicole Acosta, People.com, 18 Feb. 2025
See All Example Sentences for suffocate
Cite this Entry
“Suffocate.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/suffocate. Accessed 23 Mar. 2025.
Copy CitationKids Definition
suffocate
verb
suf·fo·cate
ˈsəf-ə-ˌkāt
suffocated; suffocating
1
a
: to stop the breathing of (as by strangling)
b
: to deprive of oxygen
c
: to make uncomfortable by want of fresh air
2
: to become suffocated
especially
: to die or suffer from being unable to breathe or from lack of oxygen
Medical Definition
suffocate
verb
suf·fo·cate
ˈsəf-ə-ˌkāt
suffocated; suffocating
1
: to stop the respiration of (as by strangling or asphyxiation)
2
: to deprive of oxygen
: to die from being unable to breathe
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