asphyxiate
1 of 1verb/æsˈfɪksieɪt/
Forms:asphyxiates,asphyxiating,asphyxiated,asphyxiated
1
to die as a result of being unable to breathe, due to a lack of air or oxygen
- The victim asphyxiated after being trapped in the sealed room.
- The child accidentally asphyxiated from the plastic bag over his head.
- The miners were at risk of asphyxiating due to the lack of ventilation.
- He asphyxiated in the car when the exhaust pipe was blocked.
- She almost asphyxiated from the fumes in the room before help arrived.
2
to cause someone to stop breathing by depriving them of oxygen
transitive- The closed room threatened to asphyxiate everyone inside.
- Using a plastic bag to cover one's head can dangerously asphyxiate a person.
- The fire produced thick smoke that could asphyxiate those trapped in the building.
- The criminal attempted to asphyxiate his victim by covering their mouth and nose.
- The toxic fumes from the fire are asphyxiating the residents.