Suffocation

/ˌsʌfəˈkeɪʃən/

Meaning & Definition

noun

The state or process of being deprived of air or unable to breathe.

The child's suffocation in the confined space was a tragic accident.

The act of killing someone by preventing them from breathing.

The criminal was charged with suffocation after the incident.

A feeling of being overwhelmed or stifled, often emotionally or mentally.

She felt a sense of suffocation in her restrictive job environment.

Latin suffocatio, from suffocare 'to choke, stifle' (sub 'under' + focus 'smoke, hearth').

suffocation of free speech

The suppression of the right to express thoughts publicly.

suffocation of joy

The overwhelming of happiness by negative emotions or circumstances.

asphyxia

A condition of severely deficient supply of oxygen to the body.

choke

To constrict or obstruct the throat or airways, preventing normal breathing.

smother

To suffocate someone by covering their face or blocking their breaths.

Choking on something metaphorical.

I can't deal with all this pressure; it's like I'm suffocating here.

Feeling overwhelmed by emotional burden.

After all those deadlines, it's like I'm in total suffocation mode.