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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Antonyms & Near Antonyms
2
Example Sentences
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Recent Examples of suffocate
Experimental practice is stifled by fear of risk-taking, which suffocates artistic exploration and silences unique voices.
—
Scott Roxborough, HollywoodReporter, 17 May 2025
Flush it or suffocate it with tape Worst: Crush it to death
Ticks can be difficult to kill.
—Angela Haupt, Time, 30 May 2025
The mother accuses Poppy's Playhouse of not properly training its employees and failing to recognize that her son was suffocating or had suffocated.
—Jonathan Limehouse, USA Today, 23 May 2025
The irony is suffocating: While the Romanian people ultimately made the right choice, the leadership of the United States—the very country that built and led the postwar liberal world order—was quietly rooting for the other side.
—MSNBC Newsweek, 20 May 2025
See All Example Sentences for suffocate
Scott Roxborough, HollywoodReporter, 17 May 2025
Flush it or suffocate it with tape Worst: Crush it to death
Ticks can be difficult to kill.
—Angela Haupt, Time, 30 May 2025
The mother accuses Poppy's Playhouse of not properly training its employees and failing to recognize that her son was suffocating or had suffocated.
—Jonathan Limehouse, USA Today, 23 May 2025
The irony is suffocating: While the Romanian people ultimately made the right choice, the leadership of the United States—the very country that built and led the postwar liberal world order—was quietly rooting for the other side.
—MSNBC Newsweek, 20 May 2025
See All Example Sentences for suffocate
Recent Examples of Synonyms for suffocate
Verb
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Prosecutors say that in December 2024, Tyler strangled Bruno to death at the dog’s New Rochelle home.—
Lesley Cosme Torres,
People.com,
5 June 2025
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The man then strangled the dog, injuring its neck and throat, officials said.—
Jennifer Rodriguez,
Kansas City Star,
3 June 2025
Verb
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On Monday, Jane gave harrowing testimony about a night in June 2024 when Combs allegedly choked, punched and kicked her in a rage.—
Nancy Dillon,
Rolling Stone,
10 June 2025
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Various items were pulled from shelves back in March, ranging from fears that teething sticks could be a choking hazard to concerns about the particular batteries in a microphone potentially overheating and igniting.—
Chloe Mayer,
MSNBC Newsweek,
10 June 2025
Verb
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This can take many forms, such as forcing oneself to vomit or by using laxatives or diuretics.—
Daryl Austin,
USA Today,
3 June 2025
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Patients sickened by it can develop stomach cramps, diarrhea, nausea and the urge to vomit anywhere from six hours to six days after infection, the CDC says.—
Dennis Romero,
NBC news,
31 May 2025
Verb
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Multiple adults, including the mother, were monitoring the group of children swimming when the boy drowned, deputies said.—
Kate Linderman,
Kansas City Star,
13 June 2025
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Three kayakers, including Boswell High School senior Luke Nickens, drowned in North Texas lakes in March.—
Harriet Ramos,
Fort Worth Star-Telegram,
12 June 2025
Verb
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The breakfast burrito, smothered in both red and green chile, could cure anything.—
Carrie Honaker,
Travel + Leisure,
5 June 2025
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The algae is especially harmful to mangroves, which serve as nursery habitats, and can smother sea grasses and coral reefs, Lapointe said.—
Julia Jacobo,
ABC News,
5 June 2025
Cite this Entry
“Suffocate.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/suffocate. Accessed 19 Jun. 2025.
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