asphyxiate in WordNet English dictionary

1. be asphyxiated; die from lack of oxygen
   "The child suffocated under the pillow"
   suffocate  stifle  asphyxiate 
   
2. deprive of oxygen and prevent from breathing
   "Othello smothered Desdemona with a pillow"; "The child suffocated herself with a plastic bag that the parents had left on the floor"
   smother  asphyxiate  suffocate 
   
3. impair the respiration of or obstruct the air passage of
   "The foul air was slowly suffocating the children"
   suffocate  stifle  asphyxiate  choke