suffocate

verb

suf·​fo·​cate ˈsə-fə-ˌkāt How to pronounce suffocate (audio)
suffocated; suffocating

transitive verb

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

intransitive verb

1
: to become suffocated:
a(1)
: to die from being unable to breathe
(2)
: to die from lack of oxygen
b
: to be uncomfortable through lack of fresh air
2
: to become checked in development
suffocation noun
suffocative adjective

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 This meant that a quarter of 787 Dreamliners had the potential to rapidly lose oxygen if the cabins were suddenly decompressed, suffocating passengers. Michael Ruiz, Fox News, 13 Mar. 2024 After not winning a game in five trips to the region’s toughest bracket, the Pride suffocated perennial participant Modesto Christian in the semifinals before outlasting a more athletic and taller Archbishop Riordan team to punch its ticket to Sacramento. Joseph Dycus, The Mercury News, 9 Mar. 2024 The suffocating Heat defense, led by All-Stars Jimmy Butler and Bam Adebayo, had almost forced a stop as the ball came loose with the shot clock winding down. Sam Joseph, CNN, 8 Mar. 2024 One encounter in 2019 involved a trail runner who killed a mountain lion by stepping on its neck and suffocating it. Craig Caudill, Field & Stream, 14 Feb. 2024 Rights activists, however, say that state clinics and subcontractors, trying to save money, often use only muscle relaxants, which suffocates a conscious animal. Mary Ilyushina, Washington Post, 20 Jan. 2024 Submerging them in soapy water to suffocate the larvae is a way to control them. Chris McKeown, The Enquirer, 2 Mar. 2024 Teams are selling out their defense to suffocate the Suns’ superstar duo and daring the outlets (or release valves) to beat them on the backside. Shane Young, Forbes, 25 Feb. 2024 Off the bench, Williams played suffocating defense at the top of USC’s press. Thuc Nhi Nguyen, Los Angeles Times, 25 Feb. 2024

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.

Word History

Etymology

borrowed from Latin suffōcātus, past participle of suffōcāre "to stifle, choke, deprive of air, squeeze together," from suf-, assimilated form of sub- sub- + -fōcāre, verbal derivative of fauc-, faux (ordinarily in plural faucēs) "upper part of the throat, pharynx, windpipe," of obscure origin

First Known Use

15th century, in the meaning defined at transitive sense 1a(1)

Time Traveler
The first known use of suffocate was in the 15th century

Dictionary Entries Near suffocate

Cite this Entry

“Suffocate.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/suffocate. Accessed 19 Mar. 2024.

Kids Definition

suffocate

verb
suf·​fo·​cate ˈsəf-ə-ˌkāt How to pronounce suffocate (audio)
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
suffocation noun

Medical Definition

suffocate

verb
suf·​fo·​cate ˈsəf-ə-ˌkāt How to pronounce suffocate (audio)
suffocated; suffocating

transitive verb

1
: to stop the respiration of (as by strangling or asphyxiation)
2
: to deprive of oxygen

intransitive verb

: to die from being unable to breathe
suffocative adjective

More from Merriam-Webster on suffocate

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