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
Synonyms & Similar Words
Relevance
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
2
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
Your routine should support your dreams, not suffocate them.
—
Valerie Mesa, PEOPLE, 24 Apr. 2026
This was the old Magic — the nasty, physical, suffocating defensive team that made every possession feel like work.
—Mike Bianchi, The Orlando Sentinel, 18 Apr. 2026
Ensure direct contact because these products work by suffocating them, says Harvell.
—Arricca Elin Sansone, Southern Living, 15 Apr. 2026
The stiff feel, plus the suffocating heat of spring and summer in NYC, is a recipe for disaster.
—Genevieve Cepeda, Travel + Leisure, 9 Apr. 2026
See All Example Sentences for suffocate
Valerie Mesa, PEOPLE, 24 Apr. 2026
This was the old Magic — the nasty, physical, suffocating defensive team that made every possession feel like work.
—Mike Bianchi, The Orlando Sentinel, 18 Apr. 2026
Ensure direct contact because these products work by suffocating them, says Harvell.
—Arricca Elin Sansone, Southern Living, 15 Apr. 2026
The stiff feel, plus the suffocating heat of spring and summer in NYC, is a recipe for disaster.
—Genevieve Cepeda, Travel + Leisure, 9 Apr. 2026
See All Example Sentences for suffocate
Recent Examples of Synonyms for suffocate
Verb
-
Nearly a month later, not far from Hot Skates and near the Long Island Rail Road tracks, Theresa's body was discovered, beaten, raped and strangled, buried under a pile of leaves and wooden shipping pallets.—
Mary Murphy,
CBS News,
26 Apr. 2026
-
Also, Meatball’s Keystone Kops never checked to see if his DNA appeared on the strap that was used to strangle her with.—
Howie Carr,
Boston Herald,
26 Apr. 2026
Verb
-
The victims, who died from smoke inhalation, might have made it out of the Belmont building alive if their neighbors had closed their doors and choked the oxygen that fed the massive five-alarm fire on Tuesday afternoon.—
Julian Roberts-Grmela,
New York Daily News,
24 Apr. 2026
-
In November 2025, Biggs was preparing for practice in the locker room when Hebert allegedly approached another teammate and choked him in response to a post on Instagram, according to the lawsuit.—
Laura Fay,
CBS News,
23 Apr. 2026
Verb
-
Luke Sapolu testified that Pulido vomited while in custody hours before the attack.—
City News Service,
Oc Register,
24 Apr. 2026
-
If your dog is vomiting continuously, take your pet to the vet as soon as possible, The Bee reported.—
Stephanie Zappelli,
Sacbee.com,
23 Apr. 2026
Verb
-
Esa Lindell, Heiskanen’s primary partner, has been drowning at five-on-five, and the Stars have been outscored 5-0 with him on the ice.—
Mark Lazerus,
New York Times,
27 Apr. 2026
-
Some appear to be cordially greeting viewers with a wave, while others evince the desperation of a person drowning.—
Dawn Chan,
The New York Review of Books,
25 Apr. 2026
Verb
-
Jaka Bijol could not get a handle on Joao Pedro, Ethan Ampadu and Ao Tanaka were overrun in midfield, and Tosin Adarabioyo smothered Dominic Calvert-Lewin.—
Beren Cross,
New York Times,
27 Apr. 2026
-
If roots are buried too deeply, they can be smothered.—
Beth Botts,
Chicago Tribune,
25 Apr. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Suffocate.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/suffocate. Accessed 2 May. 2026.
Copy CitationLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
