suffocate
Die without air
To suffocate is to die or cause death from lack of air—by smothering, choking, or oxygen deprivation.
The meaning extends to any overwhelming constriction: The heat was suffocating.
Figuratively, suffocate describes emotional or creative stifling: She felt suffocated by her parents' expectations.
The relationship suffocated him.
Obstruct breathing or airflow
- airway obstructionBlocked respiratory passage
- oxygen deprivationInsufficient breathable gas supply
- hypoxiaInsufficient tissue oxygenation
- anoxiaAbsence of oxygen supply
respiratory arrest · carbon monoxide · toxic fumes · drowning · strangulation · garrote · noose · ligature
Suppress or restrain
- silenceTotal lack of sound
- suppressForcibly put an end to
- squelchForcibly silence or suppress
- quashSuppress or nullify
censor · repress · muzzle · gag · hush · dampen · extinguish · snuff out
Labored respiration condition
- respiratory distressImpaired breathing function
- air hungerSensation of inadequate breathing
- gaspingBreathing in sharp gulps
- wheezingHarsh, whistling respiration
breathlessness · COPD · emphysema · asthma · pulmonary · bronchitis · apnea · hyperventilation
State of being constricted
- compressionForcing into smaller space
- squeezeFirm bilateral compression
- crushCompress with force
- gripSecure manual hold
pressure · bind · corset · straitjacket · chokehold · headlock · bear hug · boa constrictor
Defeated by sheer volume
- stifledForcibly held in
- smotheredDeprived of air
- oppressedTreated with cruel control
- trappedUnable to escape
claustrophobic · controlled · dominated · overbearing · helicopter parent · clingy · possessive · micromanaged
choke
Obstruct breathing or airflow
- airway obstructionBlocked respiratory passage
- oxygen deprivationInsufficient breathable gas supply
- hypoxiaInsufficient tissue oxygenation
anoxia · respiratory arrest · carbon monoxide · toxic fumes · drowning · strangulation · garrote · noose · ligature · chokehold
stifle
Suppress or restrain
quash · censor · repress · muzzle · gag · hush · dampen · extinguish · snuff out · quell
dyspnea
Labored respiration condition
- respiratory distressImpaired breathing function
- air hungerSensation of inadequate breathing
- gaspingBreathing in sharp gulps
wheezing · breathlessness · COPD · emphysema · asthma · pulmonary · bronchitis · apnea · hyperventilation · oxygen mask
tightness
State of being constricted
- compressionForcing into smaller space
- squeezeFirm bilateral compression
- crushCompress with force
grip · pressure · bind · corset · straitjacket · chokehold · headlock · bear hug · boa constrictor · python
overwhelmed
Defeated by sheer volume
trapped · claustrophobic · controlled · dominated · overbearing · helicopter parent · clingy · possessive · micromanaged · boxed in
- asphyxiationasphyxia, smothering, strangulation, strangling, choking
- compressioncompress, compression, compressor, compressing, compact
- breathingbreathing, inhalation, breath, exhalation, breathe
- restrainhold back, suppress, hold in, keep in, keep down
- dominateovercome, surpass, subdue, prevail, conquer
- bodily harmhurt, injure, wound, harm, injuries
suffocatebreathe
Exchange air through lungs
respire · breathe freely · inhale · exhale · ventilate
suffocateresuscitate
Restore to consciousness
revive · reanimate · bring back to life · restore · save
suffocating, suffocated, suffocation, suffocates, suffocations