Definition of suffocatenext
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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2
as in to choke
to keep (someone) from breathing by exerting pressure on the windpipe temporarily suffocated by the seat belt

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3
as in to vomit
to experience complete or partial blockage of the windpipe suffocating in the thick, black smoke of the burning building

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Example Sentences

Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
Recent Examples of suffocate Played by Kingston Rumi Southwick, Evan spends much of the season pushing against the suffocating boundaries set by his father Tom Loftis, portrayed by Matthew Rhys, only for a shocking revelation to fundamentally reshape their relationship by the finale. Destiny Jackson, Deadline, 17 June 2026 Both girls had been suffocated to death. James Queally, Los Angeles Times, 17 June 2026 Nevertheless—as Rooney often captures well in her novels—the reason that sharing life with men can feel like slow violence is ultimately not the men themselves (not in many cases, at least) but, rather, the hierarchies that, flowing through us all, elevate them and suffocate us. Literary Hub, 16 June 2026 But against a suffocating new-look defense spearheaded by Williams, the Valkyries stifled Plum to the tune of a season-low nine points on 3-of-10 shooting and just 2 of 3 from the free throw line. Joseph Dycus, Mercury News, 16 June 2026 See All Example Sentences for suffocate
Recent Examples of Synonyms for suffocate
Verb
  • Instead of having a thousand flowers bloom, a thousand weeds end up strangling them.
    Jeffrey Sonnenfeld, Time, 28 June 2026
  • She was likely strangled, the pathologist concluded.
    Meredith Colias-Pete, Chicago Tribune, 27 June 2026
Verb
  • The campaign has choked Russian fuel supplies and military deliveries, stalling Russia's efforts on the battlefield, Western officials and analysts say, and heaped pressure on Russian President Vladimir Putin.
    ABC News, ABC News, 26 June 2026
  • Remove chokes from artichokes and steam in small amount of water for 15 minutes, adding water to pan as needed.
    Philip Potempa, Chicago Tribune, 26 June 2026
Verb
  • And Sydney vomiting out the news of Carmy’s departure is definitely something.
    Jen Chaney, Vulture, 26 June 2026
  • Stephanie Franklin, the mother of a close friend of Benning, took multiple photos of the apartment while wearing gloves and removed a bed comforter that Benning had vomited on.
    Emily Blackwood, PEOPLE, 26 June 2026
Verb
  • The wave of progressive candidates challenging mainstream Democrats may drown Sens.
    Terry Collins, USA Today, 30 June 2026
  • Kamal, a 60-year-old Palestinian man, is ordered by an Israeli court in Jerusalem to pay a large social security debt on behalf of his son Wael, who drowned in the Red Sea over 20 years ago, or so Kamal was told.
    Melanie Goodfellow, Deadline, 29 June 2026
Verb
  • Raquel got the early advantage and smothered Maxxine in the corner.
    Alfred Konuwa, Forbes.com, 30 June 2026
  • Whether they’re smothered in pepper jelly, doused in barbecue sauce, or wrapped in bacon, appetizers are your chance to set the tone and impress your guests (because, let’s face it, nothing beats the satisfaction of compliments on your spread).
    Symiah Dorsey, Southern Living, 28 June 2026

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Cite this Entry

“Suffocate.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/suffocate. Accessed 3 Jul. 2026.

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