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
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
Gas stoves emit a variety of pollutants, including asphyxiating carbon monoxide, cancer-causing formaldehyde and benzene.
—Tony Briscoe, Los Angeles Times, 22 May 2024
Nitrogen hypoxia is a controversial method allowed only in a handful of U.S. states that essentially aims to asphyxiate the prisoner with a gas mask devoid of oxygen.
—Emily Mae Czachor, CBS News, 9 May 2024
People were trapped in the open, incinerated, asphyxiated and strafed with machine-gun fire.
—Sebastian Smee, Washington Post, 15 Mar. 2024
At least three inmates died after stuffing paper, sanitary napkins or other items down their throats, asphyxiating before anyone intervened.
—Keri Blakinger, Los Angeles Times, 26 Mar. 2024
All were killed in his suburban Norwood Park ranch house, most of them strangled or asphyxiated, and Gacy buried 26 of the bodies in the crawl space beneath his home.
—Jeff Truesdell, Peoplemag, 25 Mar. 2024
Environmentalists also say that the transportation and injection of CO2 — an asphyxiating gas that displaces oxygen — could lead to dangerous leaks.
—Tony Briscoe, Los Angeles Times, 14 Jan. 2024
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
Gas stoves emit a variety of pollutants, including asphyxiating carbon monoxide, cancer-causing formaldehyde and benzene.
—Tony Briscoe, Los Angeles Times, 22 May 2024
Nitrogen hypoxia is a controversial method allowed only in a handful of U.S. states that essentially aims to asphyxiate the prisoner with a gas mask devoid of oxygen.
—Emily Mae Czachor, CBS News, 9 May 2024
People were trapped in the open, incinerated, asphyxiated and strafed with machine-gun fire.
—Sebastian Smee, Washington Post, 15 Mar. 2024
At least three inmates died after stuffing paper, sanitary napkins or other items down their throats, asphyxiating before anyone intervened.
—Keri Blakinger, Los Angeles Times, 26 Mar. 2024
All were killed in his suburban Norwood Park ranch house, most of them strangled or asphyxiated, and Gacy buried 26 of the bodies in the crawl space beneath his home.
—Jeff Truesdell, Peoplemag, 25 Mar. 2024
Environmentalists also say that the transportation and injection of CO2 — an asphyxiating gas that displaces oxygen — could lead to dangerous leaks.
—Tony Briscoe, Los Angeles Times, 14 Jan. 2024
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 6 Jun. 2024.
Copy CitationKids Definition
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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