suffocation
Death by smothering
Suffocation is death or near-death from lack of oxygen—whether from blocked airways, smothering, or displacement of breathable air.
The word extends to any overwhelming restriction: The suffocation of living under constant surveillance.
A room can feel like suffocation; so can a relationship.
To die by suffocation is to suffocate.
Blocked respiratory passage
- gaggingReflex throat constriction
- coughingForceful air expulsion reflex
- gaspingBreathing in sharp gulps
- chokingBlocked airway condition
blockage · aspiration · trachea · larynx · throat · wheezing · intubation · foreign body
Oxygen starvation condition
- hypoxiaInsufficient tissue oxygenation
- anoxiaAbsence of oxygen supply
- oxygen deprivationInsufficient breathable gas supply
- airlessnessLack of breathable atmosphere
gasping · breathlessness · respiratory failure · respiratory arrest · cyanosis · apnea · hypoxemia · asphyxiant
Compressing throat to suffocate
- throttlingRestricting flow or speed
- ligatureCord for binding
- chokeholdNeck-constricting restraint
- garroteStrangling implement
carotid · jugular · petechiae · hanging · cord · grip · constriction · bruising
Oppressively hot and close
- oppressiveUnjustly harsh or stifling
- overwhelmingIntensely excessive in force
- controllingExerting authority over others
- overbearingArrogantly dominating in manner
claustrophobic · inescapable · crushing · anxiety · panic · restrictive · overprotective · codependency
Bedding for heads
- blanketSoft bed covering
- plastic bagThin film carrier
- coveringLayer that shields or hides
- obstructionSomething blocking the way
bedding · overlaying · positional · cloth · mattress
Area sealed within boundaries
- trappedUnable to escape
- confinedKept within bounds
- entrapmentDefense against induced criminality
- airtightImpervious to atmosphere
sealed · cramped · buried alive · cave-in · collapsed · rubble · trunk · container
Stopping noise or dissent
- quashingForcibly ending or voiding
- censorshipOfficial content restriction
- oppressionUnjust exercise of power
- repressionUnconscious blocking of thoughts
squelching · muzzling · shutting down · extinguishing · dampening · quelling
airway obstruction
Blocked respiratory passage
- gaggingReflex throat constriction
- coughingForceful air expulsion reflex
- gaspingBreathing in sharp gulps
choking · blockage · aspiration · trachea · larynx · throat · wheezing · intubation · foreign body · dysphagia
asphyxia
Oxygen starvation condition
- hypoxiaInsufficient tissue oxygenation
- anoxiaAbsence of oxygen supply
- oxygen deprivationInsufficient breathable gas supply
airlessness · gasping · breathlessness · respiratory failure · respiratory arrest · cyanosis · apnea · hypoxemia · asphyxiant · air hunger
strangling
Compressing throat to suffocate
- throttlingRestricting flow or speed
- ligatureCord for binding
- chokeholdNeck-constricting restraint
garrote · carotid · jugular · petechiae · hanging · cord · grip · constriction · bruising · marks
stifling
Oppressively hot and close
- oppressiveUnjustly harsh or stifling
- overwhelmingIntensely excessive in force
- controllingExerting authority over others
overbearing · claustrophobic · inescapable · crushing · anxiety · panic · restrictive · overprotective · codependency · helicopter parenting
pillow
Bedding for heads
- blanketSoft bed covering
- plastic bagThin film carrier
- coveringLayer that shields or hides
obstruction · bedding · overlaying · positional · cloth · mattress
enclosed space
Area sealed within boundaries
- trappedUnable to escape
- confinedKept within bounds
- entrapmentDefense against induced criminality
airtight · sealed · cramped · buried alive · cave-in · collapsed · rubble · trunk · container · refrigerator
silencing
Stopping noise or dissent
- quashingForcibly ending or voiding
- censorshipOfficial content restriction
- oppressionUnjust exercise of power
repression · squelching · muzzling · shutting down · extinguishing · dampening · quelling
- breathing problemsrespiratory arrest, respiratory distress, apnea, hypoxia, oxygen deprivation
- death causescause of death, natural causes, manner of death, accidental death, natural death
- fatal hazardsaccidents, drowning, falls, poisoning, overdose
- Mining Hazardscave-in, collapse, explosion, methane, gas explosion
- workplace injuriescuts, burns, fractures, sprains, lacerations
- worksite hazardselectrocution, cave-in, falling objects, chemical exposure, asbestos
suffocationbreathing
Pulmonary gas exchange
respiration · ventilation · oxygenation · inhalation · fresh air
suffocationrelief
Easing of distress
deep breath · open air · release · fresh breeze · openness
suffocationfreedom
Absence of constraint
liberation · breathing room · independence · space · autonomy