suffocate
Translation
to suffocate, to choke, to smother
Examples
The smoke was starting to suffocate him.
The smoke was starting to suffocate him.
He was suffocating under the heavy blanket.
He was suffocating under the heavy blanket.
The new rules will suffocate creativity.
The new rules will suffocate creativity.
Grammar Patterns
((sb.)) to cause (sb.) to be unable to breathe The smoke was starting to suffocate him.
((no object)) to be unable to breathe He was suffocating under the heavy blanket.
((sth.)) to restrict the development of (sth.) The new rules will suffocate creativity.
Similar Words
Synonyms: choke, smother, stifle
Etymology
From Latin 'suffocare', from 'sub-' (under) + 'fauces' (throat). Literally 'to choke from under'.
Memory Tips
Imagine your throat ('fauces') being squeezed from 'under' ('sub-'). The 'suf-' prefix is a variation of 'sub-'.