suffocate

(v) 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
asphyxiate, smother,
(v) impair the respiration of or obstruct the air passage of
- The foul air was slowly suffocating the children
asphyxiate, stifle, choke,
(v) become stultified, suppressed, or stifled
- He is suffocating--living at home with his aged parents in the small village
choke,
(v) suppress the development, creativity, or imagination of
- His job suffocated him
choke,
(v) be asphyxiated; die from lack of oxygen
- The child suffocated under the pillow
asphyxiate, stifle,
(v) feel uncomfortable for lack of fresh air
- The room was hot and stuffy and we were suffocating
(v) struggle for breath; have insufficient oxygen intake
- he swallowed a fishbone and gagged
choke, gag, strangle,

asphyxiate smother stifle choke gag strangle