verb
suffocate
SUH-fuh-kayt
verb
1
To die, or cause someone to die, from lack of oxygen.
"The trapped miners nearly suffocated before rescuers reached them."
"Smoke from the fire suffocated several residents."
2
To feel overwhelmed or stifled, as if unable to breathe.
"She felt like she was suffocating under the pressure of her exams."
How to Use Suffocate
Learner’s notesIn plain EnglishTo stop breathing (or make someone stop breathing) from lack of air, or to feel overwhelmed as if you can't breathe.
Common pairings
suffocate to death
feel suffocated
Word Forms
more suffocate comparative, suffocated past tense, suffocates singular, most suffocate superlative
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The trapped miners nearly _____ before rescuers reached them.
Etymology
From Latin suffocare, from sub- ("under, up to") plus fauces ("throat"). First recorded in English in the 1500s.