as in close
lacking fresh air
inside the bunker it was suffocating, and some of the men had already passed out
Synonyms & Similar Words
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Antonyms & Near Antonyms
1
as in strangling
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
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
2
as in choking
to keep (someone) from breathing by exerting pressure on the windpipe
temporarily suffocated by the seat belt
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
3
as in vomiting
to experience complete or partial blockage of the windpipe
suffocating in the thick, black smoke of the burning building
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
Example Sentences
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Recent Examples of suffocating
Peter Bart, Deadline, 4 Dec. 2025
Doors and windows were locked, producing a suffocating effect in the hot weather.
—Literary Hub, 16 Oct. 2025
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
See All Example Sentences for suffocating
Adjective
Its suffocating Puritanic culture is suddenly rocked by an exhilarating theater movement fostering the likes of Tamburlaine and Doctor Faustus, but also by an underground of intrigue and dissent that’s hatching schemes to blow up Parliament and extinguish royal rule.
—Peter Bart, Deadline, 4 Dec. 2025
Doors and windows were locked, producing a suffocating effect in the hot weather.
—Literary Hub, 16 Oct. 2025
Verb
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
See All Example Sentences for suffocating
Recent Examples of Synonyms for suffocating
Adjective
-
Because the Celtics, provided they close-out the 76ers, have the kind of shooters the Hawks don’t.—
Kristian Winfield,
New York Daily News,
29 Apr. 2026
-
Qatar could deepen its already close defense ties to Turkey, and China, which is close to Iran, could play a greater diplomatic role.—
Sudarsan Raghavan,
New Yorker,
28 Apr. 2026
Verb
-
Horner told a false story about hitting the little girl with his van and then strangling her in a panic, according to testimony of the case’s lead investigator, Texas Ranger Job Espinoza.—
Harriet Ramos,
Fort Worth Star-Telegram,
24 Apr. 2026
-
White House press secretary Karoline Leavitt told reporters on Wednesday that the blockade was strangling Iran’s economy.—
Bart Jansen,
USA Today,
23 Apr. 2026
Verb
-
Jurors then heard sounds of banging and choking — and Athena screaming and crying, the Star-Telegram reports.—
Christina Coulter,
PEOPLE,
27 Apr. 2026
-
How about allegedly choking a live-in chef?—
Boston Herald editorial staff,
Boston Herald,
26 Apr. 2026
Verb
-
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
-
Well, not stopping at one drink, or 10, and then vomiting on Katy's foot was the answer.—
Edward Segarra,
USA Today,
17 Apr. 2026
Adjective
-
Her mother, who had a staid upbringing in California, came to New York in the early sixties looking for someplace more diverse and less stifling.—
Molly Fischer,
New Yorker,
2 Apr. 2026
Verb
-
Wallstedt polished off the first Stars' power play by snapping his glove around Mikko Rantanen's shot and smothering Esa Lindell's bad-angle attempt.—
CBS News,
CBS News,
23 Apr. 2026
-
Burton shared this adorable flick of Morgan smothering their firstborn in kisses.—
Stephanie Sengwe,
PEOPLE,
22 Apr. 2026
Adjective
-
But she was met in the airlock by Tim Robbins' Bernard in a fiery cliffhanger climax that left us all totally breathless.—
Jeff Spry,
Space.com,
24 Apr. 2026
-
Yours in breathless, ticketless solidarity.—
Yehiel Kyle Israel,
Sun Sentinel,
15 Apr. 2026
Verb
-
In contrast to typical airline food drowning in salt and sauces, the culinary offerings aboard Aero are a delight, with meals created in partnership with Erewhon, Spago, Parm, Sadelle’s and Flora Farms along with an open bar of top-shelf spirits and Veuve Clicquot champagne.—
Beth Landman,
HollywoodReporter,
28 Apr. 2026
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In a separate incident, two Carnival passengers also died in drowning cases at the company’s private Bahamas resort.—
Stepheny Price,
FOXNews.com,
28 Apr. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Suffocating.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/suffocating. Accessed 1 May. 2026.
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