Definition

1. Adjective:
   • Suffocated; deprived of oxygen: Describes a state where a person or organism has been deprived of oxygen, leading to unconsciousness or death.
   • In a state of asphyxia: Specifically refers to the condition resulting from severe oxygen deficiency, often due to choking, strangulation, or exposure to toxic gases.

Usage Examples

• Adjective:
  • The firefighters found the victims asphyxiated by smoke.
  • The cause of death was determined to be asphyxiated due to airway obstruction.

Advanced Usage

• "to be asphyxiated": This is the standard passive construction describing the state or result of asphyxiation.
  • Several miners were asphyxiated in the collapsed tunnel.
• "asphyxiated state": Used to medically or formally describe the condition.
  • The patient was found in an asphyxiated state and required immediate resuscitation.

Variants and Related Words

• Asphyxia (n): The medical condition of severe oxygen deprivation.
  • Asphyxia can result from drowning or carbon monoxide poisoning.
• Asphyxiate (v): The verb form meaning to cause asphyxia; to suffocate.
  • The tight collar could asphyxiate the animal.
• Asphyxiating (adj): Describing something that causes asphyxiation.
  • The room was filled with an asphyxiating gas.

Synonyms

• Suffocated: Deprived of air.
• Strangled: Specifically choked by external pressure on the throat.
• Smothered: Suffocated by something covering the nose and mouth.

Antonyms

• Breathing: Inhaling and exhaling air.
• Resuscitated: Revived from unconsciousness or apparent death.
• Aerated: Supplied with or containing air.

Related Phrases

• "Death by asphyxiation": A common forensic or medical phrase for the manner of death.
  • The autopsy report listed death by asphyxiation.
• "Risk of asphyxiation": A warning about a potential hazard.
  • The plastic bag carries a risk of asphyxiation for young children.

Adjective

1. in a state of asphyxia