suffocate

• Verbe désignant le fait de mourir ou de faire mourir quelqu'un par manque d'air ou impossibilité de respirer librement, ou encore d'empêcher la respiration.

A verb used to indicate the act of dying or causing someone to die due to lack of air, or being unable to breathe freely.

1. Deprive of oxygenB2formal

   To cause someone or something to die by preventing them from breathing air.

   Étouffer (priver d'oxygène)

   • The smoke from the fire nearly suffocated the trapped family.
   • He was suffocated by the thick plastic bag over his head.
   • The victim was suffocated with a pillow.

   Synonymesasphyxiatechokesmotherstifle

   Antonymesaerateoxygenateventilate

2. Obstruct breathingB2formal

   To impair or block the respiration of someone or something.

   Étouffer (obstruer la respiration)

   • The tight collar was suffocating him.
   • The fumes in the room suffocated the workers.
   • The heavy blanket suffocated the child.

   Synonymesasphyxiatechokesmotherstiflestranglethrottle

3. Feel stifled or suppressedB2informal

   To become mentally or emotionally stifled, suppressed, or restricted.

   étouffer (sens moral/psychologique)

   • She felt suffocated by the strict rules at home.
   • His creativity suffocated under the pressure of deadlines.
   • The bureaucracy suffocates any new ideas.

   Synonymeschokesmotherstifle

   Antonymesbreatheflourishthrive

4. Suppress developmentC1formal

   To suppress the development, creativity, or imagination of someone or something.

   Étouffer (le développement)

   • The rigid education system suffocates students' natural curiosity.
   • Constant criticism can suffocate a child's imagination.
   • The company's culture suffocates innovation.

   Synonymeschokecrushcurbdampeninhibitquashrepresssmotherstiflesuppress

   Antonymesencouragefosterinspirenurturepromotestimulate

5. Die from lack of oxygenB2formal

   To die because of insufficient oxygen intake.

   mourir par asphyxie

   • The fish suffocated after being out of water for too long.
   • Many miners suffocated in the collapsed tunnel.
   • The animal suffocated in the sealed container.

   Synonymesasphyxiatechokesmotherstifle

6. Feel uncomfortable for lack of fresh airB1informal

   To feel uncomfortable or distressed due to a lack of fresh air.

   étouffer (manque d'air)

   • I'm suffocating in this crowded, stuffy room.
   • Open the window, I'm suffocating in here!
   • The heat and humidity made everyone feel like they were suffocating.

   Synonymeschokesmotherstifle

7. Struggle for breathB2formal

   To have difficulty breathing or to have insufficient oxygen intake.

   étouffer (manquer d'air)

   • The asthmatic patient was suffocating and needed an inhaler.
   • He was suffocating from the thick smoke.
   • The drowning man was suffocating as he gasped for air.

   Synonymesasphyxiatechokegasppantwheeze

   Antonymesbreathe