verb
- kills or causes to lose consciousness by preventing breathing or depriving of oxygen
Usage: third person singular present tense
Examples
- Carbon monoxide asphyxiates victims silently and without warning.
- The plastic bag asphyxiates anyone who puts it over their head.
- Smoke from the fire asphyxiates people faster than the flames reach them.
- The gas leak asphyxiates workers in poorly ventilated areas.
- Dense fog sometimes asphyxiates small animals in low-lying areas.
- The avalanche asphyxiates skiers buried under heavy snow.