suffocate

(verb) deprive of oxygen and prevent from breathing. Synonyms: smother, asphyxiate. Examples: "Othello smothered desdemona with a pillow." "The child suffocated herself with a plastic bag that the parents had left on the floor."

(verb) impair the respiration of or obstruct the air passage of. Synonyms: stifle, asphyxiate, choke. Examples: "The foul air was slowly suffocating the children."

(verb) become stultified, suppressed, or stifled. Synonyms: choke. Examples: "He is suffocating--living at home with his aged parents in the small village."

(verb) suppress the development, creativity, or imagination of. Synonyms: choke. Examples: "His job suffocated him."

(verb) be asphyxiated; die from lack of oxygen. Synonyms: stifle, asphyxiate. Examples: "The child suffocated under the pillow."

(verb) feel uncomfortable for lack of fresh air. Examples: "The room was hot and stuffy and we were suffocating."

(verb) struggle for breath; have insufficient oxygen intake. Synonyms: gag, choke, strangle. Examples: "He swallowed a fishbone and gagged."