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

[ Syn: smother , suffocate ]

impair the respiration of or obstruct the air passage of; The foul air was slowly suffocating the children

[ Syn: suffocate , stifle , choke ]

be asphyxiated; die from lack of oxygen; The child suffocated under the pillow

[ Syn: suffocate , stifle ]