Definitions

1. verb

to be unable to breathe because something is covering the mouth and nose, or because of a strong feeling of anxiety or panic

“The smoke from the fire was starting to suffocate the people in the room.”

2. verb

to make someone feel as though they are being unable to breathe because of anxiety or panic

“The news of the disaster was suffocating the public with fear.”

3. verb

to overwhelm or crush someone or something with a strong feeling or pressure

“The pressure from the deadline was suffocating the team’s creativity.”

4. noun

a feeling of being unable to breathe or of being overwhelmed by anxiety or panic

“The suffocate feeling in the crowd was unbearable.”

5. noun

a state of being crushed or overwhelmed by a strong feeling or pressure

“The team was in a state of suffocate from the pressure of the competition.”