suffocate

adjective

1. (obsolete) Suffocated; choked.

verb

1. deprive of oxygen and prevent from breathing

- The child suffocated herself with a plastic bag that the parents had left on the floor

Similar word(s): asphyxiate, smother

Definition categories: contact, kill

2. impair the respiration of or obstruct the air passage of

- The foul air was slowly suffocating the children

Similar word(s): asphyxiate, choke, stifle

Definition categories: contact, block, impede, jam, obstruct, obturate, occlude

3. become stultified, suppressed, or stifled

- He is suffocating--living at home with his aged parents in the small village

Similar word(s): choke

Definition categories: change, become, turn

4. suppress the development, creativity, or imagination of

- His job suffocated him

Similar word(s): choke

Definition categories: change, dampen, stifle

5. be asphyxiated; die from lack of oxygen

- The child suffocated under the pillow

Similar word(s): asphyxiate, stifle

Definition categories: change, choke, conk, croak, decease, die, exit, expire, go, pass, perish

6. feel uncomfortable for lack of fresh air

- The room was hot and stuffy and we were suffocating

Definition categories: body, feel

7. struggle for breath; have insufficient oxygen intake

Similar word(s): choke, gag, strangle

Definition categories: body, hurt, suffer