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.

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