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
The boy, who was just shy of 1-year-old, suffocated after the man carrying him was shot and fell on top of him, according to authorities.
—
Landon Mion, Fox News, 26 June 2024
In this era of political pandemonium, of suffocating social inequality, of confounding capitalistic institutions, one question unites us all.
—David Oliver, USA TODAY, 20 June 2024
The Red Stars could hardly get the ball over the halfway line because the Current’s press after losing possession was suffocating.
—Daniel Sperry, Kansas City Star, 15 June 2024
The unlucky prisoner is in the middle of a family visitation when his killer puts a bag over his head and suffocates him.
—Noel Murray, Vulture, 9 June 2024
See all Example Sentences for suffocate 
Landon Mion, Fox News, 26 June 2024
In this era of political pandemonium, of suffocating social inequality, of confounding capitalistic institutions, one question unites us all.
—David Oliver, USA TODAY, 20 June 2024
The Red Stars could hardly get the ball over the halfway line because the Current’s press after losing possession was suffocating.
—Daniel Sperry, Kansas City Star, 15 June 2024
The unlucky prisoner is in the middle of a family visitation when his killer puts a bag over his head and suffocates him.
—Noel Murray, Vulture, 9 June 2024
See all Example Sentences for suffocate
These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'suffocate.' Any opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.
Dictionary Entries Near suffocate
Cite this Entry
“Suffocate.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/suffocate. Accessed 7 Jul. 2024.
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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