suffocate
6 synonyms and 1 antonym for suffocate, grouped by meaning and by how common each one is.
Verb — To die, or cause someone to die, from lack of oxygen.
Synonyms
Less common
Still standard English, but they carry more weight.
Rare, literary or technical
Precise, but they will stand out — check the sense before using one.
Antonyms
How to use suffocate
The word patterns that sound natural to a native speaker.
suffocate to death
feel suffocated
Etymology
From Latin suffocare, from sub- ("under, up to") plus fauces ("throat"). First recorded in English in the 1500s.
Full origin of suffocate →Frequently asked questions
What does “suffocate” mean?
The word “suffocate” means to die, or cause someone to die, from lack of oxygen. In plain terms, to stop breathing (or make someone stop breathing) from lack of air, or to feel overwhelmed as if you can't breathe.
How do you pronounce “suffocate”?
“Suffocate” is pronounced SUH-fuh-kayt (/ˈsʌfəkeɪt/ in IPA).
How do you use “suffocate” in a sentence?
Here is “suffocate” used in a sentence: “The trapped miners nearly suffocated before rescuers reached them.”
What is another word for “suffocate”?
Words with a similar meaning to “suffocate” include smother.
What part of speech is “suffocate”?
“Suffocate” is a verb.
Where does the word “suffocate” come from?
The word “suffocate” dates back to around 1500 and comes from Latin. From Latin suffocare, from sub- ("under, up to") plus fauces ("throat"). First recorded in English in the 1500s.
How many meanings does “suffocate” have?
“Suffocate” has 2 distinct senses listed in this dictionary. The most common is: to die, or cause someone to die, from lack of oxygen.
