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
Argentine ants are territorially aggressive creatures with a simple strategy—suffocate and conquer.
—
Scott Travers, Forbes, 21 Nov. 2024
Several described feeling suffocated as the noxious air made their eyes burn and throats itch.
—Helen Regan, CNN, 20 Nov. 2024
My low point was almost getting into a fight at The Dare's late night DJ set after a drunk girl spilled a drink down my dress in the packed crowd suffocating Kingdom.
—Mars Salazar, Austin American-Statesman, 11 Nov. 2024
Reason for Ranking: The segment ends with Homer suffocating Kodos with a pillow — this after the military blows up the heads of dozens of aliens.
—Joshua Kurp, Vulture, 4 Nov. 2024
See all Example Sentences for suffocate 
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.
Scott Travers, Forbes, 21 Nov. 2024
Several described feeling suffocated as the noxious air made their eyes burn and throats itch.
—Helen Regan, CNN, 20 Nov. 2024
My low point was almost getting into a fight at The Dare's late night DJ set after a drunk girl spilled a drink down my dress in the packed crowd suffocating Kingdom.
—Mars Salazar, Austin American-Statesman, 11 Nov. 2024
Reason for Ranking: The segment ends with Homer suffocating Kodos with a pillow — this after the military blows up the heads of dozens of aliens.
—Joshua Kurp, Vulture, 4 Nov. 2024
See all Example Sentences for suffocate
Dictionary Entries Near suffocate
Cite this Entry
“Suffocate.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/suffocate. Accessed 28 Nov. 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
Love words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
Share