definition of
suffocate

[1] #1 suffocate v. [smother, asphyxiate] deprive of oxygen and prevent from breathing; "Othello smothered Desdemona with a pillow"; "The child suffocated herself with a plastic bag that the parents had left on the floor". wn

[2] #2 suffocate v. [stifle, asphyxiate, choke] impair the respiration of or obstruct the air passage of; "The foul air was slowly suffocating the children". wn

[3] #3 suffocate v. [choke] become stultified, suppressed, or stifled; "He is suffocating--living at home with his aged parents in the small village". wn

[4] #4 suffocate v. [choke] suppress the development, creativity, or imagination of; "His job suffocated him". wn

[5] #5 suffocate v. [stifle, asphyxiate] be asphyxiated; die from lack of oxygen; "The child suffocated under the pillow". wn