suffocate

//ˈsʌfəkeɪt//
B2Frequency Level 11Neutral
Visual representation of suffocate

Verb

suffocateInfinitive
suffocatePresent tense
suffocatedPast tense
suffocatedPast participle
suffocatingPresent participle
suffocatesThird-person singular
1

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

The smoke was so thick that he nearly suffocated.

2

To feel or cause to feel trapped, oppressed, or unable to express oneself freely.

The strict rules at home suffocated her creativity.

3

To suppress or stifle something, such as a feeling, idea, or movement.

The strict rules suffocated creativity in the workplace.

suffocate - Deep Vocabulary