suffocate

/'sʌfəkeit/
Học thuật
Thân thiện
suffocate

The child suffocated herself with a plastic bag that the parents had left on the floor.

Definition

  1. Verb (transitive):

    • To kill or cause to die by preventing access to air or oxygen: To cause death through asphyxiation, typically by blocking airways or removing oxygen.
    • To suppress or stifle something (e.g., development, creativity, emotion): To hinder or prevent something from growing, being expressed, or flourishing.

  2. Verb (intransitive):

    • To die or feel distressed from lack of air: To experience difficulty breathing or to die because of insufficient oxygen.
    • To feel oppressed or stifled in a situation: To feel constrained, restricted, or unable to develop freely.
Examples of Usage
  • Verb (transitive):
    • The thick smoke could suffocate the trapped firefighters.
    • The strict rules suffocated her artistic spirit.
  • Verb (intransitive):
    • Without ventilation, a person can suffocate in a sealed room.
    • She felt she was suffocating in the monotonous routine of her job.
Advanced Usage
  • "to suffocate under/with/by something": To die or be overwhelmed by a specific cause of asphyxiation or pressure.
    • The victims suffocated under the rubble after the collapse.
  • "to suffocate from something": To die or suffer due to a specific lack.
    • Plants can suffocate from a lack of carbon dioxide.
Variants and Related Words
  • Suffocation (n): The process or state of being suffocated.
    • Death was caused by suffocation.
  • Suffocating (adj): Causing a feeling of being unable to breathe or of being oppressed.
    • The suffocating heat made it hard to work.
Synonyms
  • Smother: To suffocate by covering the nose and mouth; to suppress.
  • Stifle: To make breathing difficult; to restrain or hold back.
  • Asphyxiate: A more technical term for suffocating, especially by a lack of oxygen.
Related Phrasal Verbs/Constructions
  • Suffocate on something: To choke or die from inhaling a particular substance.
    • He almost suffocated on the toxic fumes.
Related Idioms
  • A suffocating atmosphere: An environment that feels oppressive and restrictive, not allowing for freedom.
    • The company's suffocating atmosphere drove many talented employees to leave.
suffocate

The child suffocated herself with a plastic bag that the parents had left on the floor.

Verb
  1. struggle for breath; have insufficient oxygen intake
    • he swallowed a fishbone and gagged
  2. feel uncomfortable for lack of fresh air
    • The room was hot and stuffy and we were suffocating
  3. be asphyxiated; die from lack of oxygen
    • The child suffocated under the pillow
  4. suppress the development, creativity, or imagination of
    • His job suffocated him
  5. become stultified, suppressed, or stifled
    • He is suffocating--living at home with his aged parents in the small village
  6. impair the respiration of or obstruct the air passage of
    • The foul air was slowly suffocating the children
  7. deprive of oxygen and prevent from breathing
    • Othello smothered Desdemona with a pillow
    • The child suffocated herself with a plastic bag that the parents had left on the floor

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