suffocate
1 ENTRIES FOUND:
suffocates;
suffocated;
suffocating
suffocates;
suffocated;
suffocating
Britannica Dictionary definition of SUFFOCATE
1
a
[no object]
:
to die because you are unable to breathe
— sometimes used figuratively
-
Without air, you would suffocate.
-
The poor dog could suffocate in the car on a hot day like this.
-
I'm suffocating in this job. [=I can't express myself, act freely, etc., in this job]
b
[+ object]
:
to kill (someone) by making breathing impossible
— sometimes used figuratively
-
She was afraid that thick pillows and blankets could suffocate [=smother] the baby.
-
The victims were found suffocated.
-
Anger and resentment slowly suffocated their marriage.
-
Critics say that the new tax will suffocate local businesses.
2
[no object]
:
to be uncomfortable because there is not enough fresh air
— usually used as (be) suffocating
-
We were suffocating in the stuffy boardroom.
-
The victims died of suffocation.
