1. asphyxiate, smother, suffocate

deprive of oxygen and prevent from breathing

Example Sentences:
'Othello smothered Desdemona with a pillow'
'The child suffocated herself with a plastic bag that the parents had left on the floor'

• asphyxiate
• smother

2. asphyxiate, choke, stifle, suffocate

impair the respiration of or obstruct the air passage of

Example Sentences:
'The foul air was slowly suffocating the children'

• asphyxiate
• choke
• stifle

3. choke, suffocate

become stultified, suppressed, or stifled

Example Sentences:
'He is suffocating--living at home with his aged parents in the small village'

• choke

4. choke, suffocate

suppress the development, creativity, or imagination of

Example Sentences:
'His job suffocated him'

• choke

5. asphyxiate, stifle, suffocate

be asphyxiated; die from lack of oxygen

Example Sentences:
'The child suffocated under the pillow'

• asphyxiate
• stifle

6. suffocate

feel uncomfortable for lack of fresh air

Example Sentences:
'The room was hot and stuffy and we were suffocating'

7. choke, gag, strangle, suffocate

struggle for breath; have insufficient oxygen intake

Example Sentences:
'he swallowed a fishbone and gagged'

• choke
• gag
• strangle