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 , asphyxiate ]

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

[ Syn: stifle , asphyxiate , choke ]

become stultified, suppressed, or stifled; He is suffocating--living at home with his aged parents in the small village

[ Syn: choke ]

suppress the development, creativity, or imagination of; His job suffocated him

[ Syn: choke ]

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

[ Syn: stifle , asphyxiate ]

feel uncomfortable for lack of fresh air; The room was hot and stuffy and we were suffocating'

struggle for breath; have insufficient oxygen intake; he swallowed a fishbone and gagged

[ Syn: gag , choke , strangle ]