suffocate 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 
   
4. struggle for breath; have insufficient oxygen intake
   "he swallowed a fishbone and gagged"
   gag  choke  strangle  suffocate 
   
5. suppress the development, creativity, or imagination of
   "His job suffocated him"
   suffocate  choke 
   
6. become stultified, suppressed, or stifled
   "He is suffocating--living at home with his aged parents in the small village"
   suffocate  choke 
   
7. feel uncomfortable for lack of fresh air
   "The room was hot and stuffy and we were suffocating"
   suffocate