1
as in to strangle
to be or cause to be killed by lack of breathable air
the law requires the owner of a discarded refrigerator to remove its door so that a child won't get trapped inside and suffocate
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Example Sentences
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Recent Examples of suffocate
Though White occasionally fell short tying together all the threads — a few songs ambled deep into the weeds and nearly suffocated from their complexity — his masterful guitar techniques and kinetic vocals made the detours worthwhile.
—
Bob Gendron, Chicago Tribune, 11 Apr. 2025
Houston was plenty impressive in its own right last weekend, squeaking by Purdue (4) before suffocating Tennessee (2) in an emphatic 69-50 Elite Eight win.
—Newsweek Staff, MSNBC Newsweek, 4 Apr. 2025
The Bulldogs have built their success on a suffocating defense, allowing just 58.4 points per game.
—Josh Hammer, Newsweek, 20 Mar. 2025
According to prosecutors, Correa and others beat detainees with pipes, burned them with molten plastic and acid, shocked them with electricity and suffocated them with plastic bags.
—Gordon G. Chang, MSNBC Newsweek, 8 Apr. 2025
See All Example Sentences for suffocate
Bob Gendron, Chicago Tribune, 11 Apr. 2025
Houston was plenty impressive in its own right last weekend, squeaking by Purdue (4) before suffocating Tennessee (2) in an emphatic 69-50 Elite Eight win.
—Newsweek Staff, MSNBC Newsweek, 4 Apr. 2025
The Bulldogs have built their success on a suffocating defense, allowing just 58.4 points per game.
—Josh Hammer, Newsweek, 20 Mar. 2025
According to prosecutors, Correa and others beat detainees with pipes, burned them with molten plastic and acid, shocked them with electricity and suffocated them with plastic bags.
—Gordon G. Chang, MSNBC Newsweek, 8 Apr. 2025
See All Example Sentences for suffocate
Recent Examples of Synonyms for suffocate
Verb
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According to prosecutors, Stinnett briefly regained consciousness and tried to fight back before Montgomery strangled her to death.—
Nicole Acosta,
People.com,
19 Apr. 2025
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Before police could arrest him, Jane Doe told deputies from the Monterey County Sheriff’s Office about other times Betancourt battered and strangled her.—
Bay City News Service,
Mercury News,
13 Apr. 2025
Verb
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Are there really women out there who want Badgley to put on his Joe Goldberg cap and choke them?—
Judy Berman,
Time,
24 Apr. 2025
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Southern California has been choked by smog since the mass adoption of the automobile.—
Terry Castleman,
Los Angeles Times,
23 Apr. 2025
Verb
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Chaos ensues when Fred Armisen's auctioneer unveils the painting, prompting everyone else in the room to shout, vomit, and self-harm, including Samberg's then-castmates Bobby Moynihan, Bill Hader, and Kristen Wiig.—
Ryan Coleman,
EW.com,
23 Apr. 2025
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The caption explained that Reggie did get sick later that night and vomited next to the bed, which was conveniently on the side where his owner sleeps.—
Ross Rosenfeld,
MSNBC Newsweek,
22 Apr. 2025
Verb
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His playbook involves drowning rivals in legal fees.—
Winston Cho,
HollywoodReporter,
25 Apr. 2025
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Twin brothers died in a drowning incident while fishing in a Mississippi lake last week, officials said.—
Taylor Ardrey,
USA Today,
24 Apr. 2025
Verb
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Golden State won the regular-season series 3-2, but the Rockets smothered Curry and the Warriors 106-96 in the last matchup of the season.—
Joseph Dycus,
Mercury News,
21 Apr. 2025
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The English side came close to equalising either side of half-time when first Alessia Russo headed a Katie McCabe free kick against the crossbar before the break, and then after it, Caitlin Foord had a shot smothered by Lyon goalkeeper Christiane Endler.—
Asif Burhan,
Forbes.com,
19 Apr. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Suffocate.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/suffocate. Accessed 1 May. 2025.
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