suffocateverb [ I or T ]
uk/ˈsʌf.ə.keɪt/us/ˈsʌf.ə.keɪt/suffocate verb [ I or T ] (DIE)
to (cause someone to) die because of not having enough oxygen:
The report said that the victims had suffocated in the fumes.
She suffocated him by holding a pillow over his head.
Thesaurus: synonyms and related words
Animal physiology: breathing & stopping breathing
- aerobic respiration
- anaerobic
- asphyxia
- aspiration
- breath
- breathable
- breathe
- breathing
- gasp
- heave
- huff
- intake
- respiration
- respiratory
- sleep apnoea
- smother
- strangle
- strangulate
- suffocating
- winded
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You can also find related words, phrases, and synonyms in the topics:
Death and dying
Murder & attempted murder
suffocate verb [ I or T ] (PREVENT)
to prevent something or someone from improving or developing in a positive way
Thesaurus: synonyms and related words
Preventing and impeding
- avert
- avoid
- avoidable
- bar
- be a drag on sb/sth idiom
- block sth out
- blot
- bottleneck
- derail
- fireproof
- hold out on sb
- hold sb/sth back
- hold/keep sb/sth at bay idiom
- holding pattern
- impede
- prevention
- prevention is better than cure idiom
- preventive
- prohibit
- pull
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suffocation
noun [ U ] uk/ˌsʌf.əˈkeɪ.ʃən/us/ˌsʌf.əˈkeɪ.ʃən/