Suffocate

/ˈsʌfəkeɪt/

Meaning & Definition

verb

to die or cause to die from lack of air or inability to breathe.

The trapped miners suffocated due to the lack of oxygen.

to suppress the expression or activity of; stifle.

The oppressive regime sought to suffocate any dissent.

to impede or stop the flow of something.

The thick fog seemed to suffocate visibility on the roads.

From Latin suffocare 'to choke, suffocate', from sub- 'under' + fauces 'throat'.

suffocate with love:

to show overwhelming affection that can be burdensome

suffocate in silence:

to endure pain or distress without expressing it

to feel overwhelmed or unable to cope in a situation

I felt like I was suffocating under all that pressure from work.

to restrict someone's freedom or independence

Her overprotective parents were suffocating her social life.