suffocate
/ˈsʌfəkeɪt/ (bre, ipa) · /ˈsʌfəkeɪt/ (ame, ipa) · /ˈsə-fə-ˌkāt/ (ame, mw)
suffocate — verb
- suffocatepresent simple I / you / we / they
- suffocateshe / she / it
- suffocatedpast simple
- suffocating-ing form
1. to die or cause another living thing to die when the lungs cannot get any oxygen
to die or cause another living thing to die when the lungs cannot get any oxygen
The fish suffocated after the pump stopped pushing oxygen into the tank.
intransitive: cause of death
Wei's grandfather suffocated in the fire because smoke filled every room before help arrived.
intransitive: accidental death in a fire
A plastic bag near a crib can suffocate a baby by covering the infant's face.
Three miners were suffocated when the tunnel collapsed and cut off their air supply.
The dog nearly suffocated after swallowing a small toy that blocked its throat.
- asphyxiate
medical or formal term for the same process; used mainly in clinical or forensic contexts
- smother
specifically means to prevent breathing by covering the nose and mouth; often implies a deliberate action
- choke
focuses on air being blocked inside the throat by an object, rather than lack of oxygen in the environment
文法句型
suffocate + (optional object)
be suffocated by + noun phrase
用法筆記
Often used in the passive voice (was suffocated) when describing accidental death. The transitive form typically describes a direct action (covering the mouth, blocking the airway), while the intransitive form focuses on the result (the person or animal died).
常見錯誤
2. to prevent a person, idea, business, or creative activity from developing or imp
to prevent a person, idea, business, or creative activity from developing or improving in a natural way
The manager's constant criticism suffocated any new ideas the young team tried to share.
figurative: suffocate + abstract object (ideas)
Overly strict school rules can suffocate a child's natural curiosity about the world.
Government controls suffocated small businesses until most families had to leave the town.
A culture that refuses to accept any criticism will eventually suffocate all innovation.
Nalini's parents' constant worry suffocated every attempt she made to live independently.
- stifle
very close in meaning; 'stifle' can also refer to holding back a sound or emotion, while 'suffocate' is more about suppressing development
- suppress
stronger implication of deliberate force or authority; 'suffocate' suggests a gradual, sometimes unintended, effect
- quash
more formal and forceful; suggests an official or legal act of stopping something completely
- smother
similar to 'suffocate' but often implies excessive attention or help rather than restriction
文法句型
suffocate + abstract noun (creativity, growth, potential, innovation)
suffocate + person / group (as the object of oppression)
用法筆記
Always transitive in this figurative sense. The object is almost always something abstract (creativity, growth, potential, freedom, innovation, ambition) or a group of people or small organisations (small businesses, young talent, minority voices). This sense is common in political, business, and educational writing.
常見錯誤
3. to deliberately stop someone from breathing by covering their mouth and nose, sq
to deliberately stop someone from breathing by covering their mouth and nose, squeezing their throat, or depriving them of air in some other direct physical way
The attacker tried to suffocate Diego by pressing a thick cushion over his face.
deliberate act: suffocate + person + by + method
A large python suffocates its prey by squeezing tighter every time the animal breathes out.
A patient tried to suffocate himself with a bag but a nurse stopped him.
The kidnapper wrapped duct tape tightly around Kenji's mouth and nose to suffocate him.
- smother
specifically means to cover the nose and mouth to prevent breathing; very close to this sense of 'suffocate'
- strangle
specifically means to squeeze the throat; more violent and implies using hands or a cord
- asphyxiate
formal/medical term for causing death by oxygen deprivation; can describe any method
- revive
to bring someone back to consciousness after they have been deprived of air
- resuscitate
medical term for restoring breathing and circulation
文法句型
suffocate + person/animal + with/by + instrument (pillow, cloth, hands)
suffocate + person/animal (without specifying method)
用法筆記
Distinguish from sense 1: sense 3 emphasises the deliberate physical action of cutting off air (strangling, smothering, covering the airway), while sense 1 emphasises the result (death from oxygen deprivation regardless of the method). Distinguish from sense 4: sense 4 is about discomfort from stale air; sense 3 involves a specific physical obstruction of the airway.
常見錯誤
4. to feel very uncomfortable or to have trouble breathing because the air in an en
to feel very uncomfortable or to have trouble breathing because the air in an enclosed space is hot, stale, or has too little fresh oxygen
Sofia felt she was suffocating in a meeting room with twenty people and no windows.
continuous: feel like + suffocating + in [place]
Amara opened the car window wide because she was suffocating in the afternoon heat.
Passengers on the broken bus began to suffocate until the driver forced the door open.
I always suffocate at night with the window shut and the heating on high.
The old library had no air conditioning, and the students were suffocating by midday.
- breathe freely
to be able to get enough fresh air without discomfort
文法句型
feel as if / like + suffocating
be suffocating + in + location
suffocate + adverb (inside, in here)
用法筆記
Intransitive only — you do not suffocate someone else in this sense. Almost always used in the continuous form (am suffocating, was suffocating, felt like suffocating). Common in informal complaints about hot rooms, crowded public transport, or poorly ventilated spaces. The feeling is unpleasant but usually not life-threatening.