die or cause to die from lack of air or inability to breathe: [no object]:ten detainees suffocated in an airless police cell [with object]:she was suffocated by fumes from the boiler
have or cause to have difficulty in breathing: [no object]:he was suffocating, his head jammed up against the back of the sofa [with object]:you’re suffocating me—I can scarcely breathe (as adjective suffocating)the suffocating heat
feel or cause to feel trapped and oppressed: (as adjective suffocated)I felt suffocated by London
