asphyxiating

verb

present participle of asphyxiate
as in strangling
to cause (someone) to stop breathing and often to become unconscious and die The murder victim was asphyxiated.

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Example Sentences

Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
Recent Examples of asphyxiating The indictment charges Horner with strangling, smothering or asphyxiating Athena while in the course of kidnapping her. — Harriet Ramos, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 7 Apr. 2026 Officer Derek Chauvin, who is white, then knelt on Floyd’s neck for nine minutes, asphyxiating him. — Nancy M. Preyor-Johnson, San Antonio Express-News, 16 Jan. 2026
Recent Examples of Synonyms for asphyxiating
  1. strangling
  2. drowning
Verb
  • Prosecutors allege Clancy planned the killings by sending her husband to pick up takeout food and medicine, then, while he was gone, strangling the children with exercise bands.
    — Melina Khan, USA Today, 27 Aug. 2026
  • Prosecutors say the killings were deliberate, arguing that Clancy sent her husband out on errands before strangling the children and then attempting suicide.
    — Rebecca Cohen, NBC news, 24 Aug. 2026
Definition of strangling
Verb
  • Chandler Police Department spokesperson Sonu Wasu said Trigg was hospitalized after authorities responded to a drowning call on May 12.
    — Zoey Lyttle, PEOPLE, 25 Aug. 2026
  • Oliver has been away from Buffalo's facility for periods this summer in the aftermath of his son, also named Ed, drowning in June at a residential pool in Houston.
    — ABC News, ABC News, 22 Aug. 2026
Definition of drowning

Browse Nearby Words

asphyxiates
asphyxiating
aspirant
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Cite this Entry

“Asphyxiating.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/asphyxiating. Accessed 29 Aug. 2026.

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