asphyxiate
verb
as·phyx·i·ate
as-ˈfik-sē-ˌāt 
əs-
asphyxiated; asphyxiating
: to cause asphyxia in : to kill, suspend animation in, or make unconscious through want of adequate oxygen, presence of noxious agents, or other obstruction to normal breathing
The murder victim was asphyxiated.
: to become asphyxiated
… ended in several deaths, including that of a … secretary who asphyxiated during a smoke bombing.—
Robert I. Friedman
Robert I. FriedmanExamples of asphyxiate in a Sentence
Recent Examples on the Web
Two milligrams of fentanyl — think 10 grains of salt — would asphyxiate a teen in his bed.
—Cheri Lucas Rowlands, Longreads, 25 June 2024
The swelling blocked his windpipe and led him to asphyxiate, says the notice of claim filed Tuesday with the Court of Claims.
—Graham Rayman, New York Daily News, 5 Mar. 2024
During Vallow's 2022 trial, a forensic pathologist revealed during testimony that J.J. was asphyxiated with a plastic bag and duct tape over his mouth, East Idaho News, KTVB reporter Alexandra Duggan and Fox 10 reported at the time.
—Corin Cesaric, Peoplemag, 1 June 2024
The 10-count indictment accuses Ibarra of hitting the Augusta University College of Nursing student in the head, asphyxiating her and pulling up her clothing with the intent to rape her.
—CBS News, 31 May 2024
See all Example Sentences for asphyxiate 
Cheri Lucas Rowlands, Longreads, 25 June 2024
The swelling blocked his windpipe and led him to asphyxiate, says the notice of claim filed Tuesday with the Court of Claims.
—Graham Rayman, New York Daily News, 5 Mar. 2024
During Vallow's 2022 trial, a forensic pathologist revealed during testimony that J.J. was asphyxiated with a plastic bag and duct tape over his mouth, East Idaho News, KTVB reporter Alexandra Duggan and Fox 10 reported at the time.
—Corin Cesaric, Peoplemag, 1 June 2024
The 10-count indictment accuses Ibarra of hitting the Augusta University College of Nursing student in the head, asphyxiating her and pulling up her clothing with the intent to rape her.
—CBS News, 31 May 2024
See all Example Sentences for asphyxiate
These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'asphyxiate.' Any opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.
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Cite this Entry
“Asphyxiate.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/asphyxiate. Accessed 2 Jul. 2024.
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Medical Definition
asphyxiate
verb
as·phyx·i·ate
-sē-ˌāt
asphyxiated; asphyxiating
: to cause asphyxia in
also
: to kill or make unconscious through inadequate oxygen, presence of noxious agents, or other obstruction to normal breathing
: to become asphyxiated
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