suffocation

USAGE SUMMARY

The word "suffocation" is correct and usable in written English.
It is used to refer to an act of depriving someone or something of air or oxygen, or a state of being deprived of air or oxygen. For example, "The fire forced the family to flee their home, but the smoke from the burning house caused the fire fighters to suffer from suffocation."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Encyclopedias

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

He said that he was suspended by his ankles and subjected to electric shocks to his genitals and suffocation by plastic bags.

The Guardian

The process of suffocation by water involves strapping the individual to a tilted board, with legs above their head, placing a cloth over their face, covering their nose and mouth.

The Guardian

Amnesty claims that on a single day, 47 detainees died there as a result of suffocation.

The Guardian

"Hundreds have been killed in detention either [by soldiers] shooting them or by suffocation," a military officer told Amnesty, describing the situation in Sector Alpha detention centre, known as "Guantanamo".

The Guardian

In his final speech as chairman of the British Medical Association, Ian Bogle complained about "the suffocation of professional responsibility by target-setting" and criticised "a healthcare system driven not by the needs of individual patients but by spreadsheets and tick boxes".

The Economist

In contrast to the housing crash, the risk from student debt is not of a sudden explosion in losses but of gradual financial suffocation.

The Economist

The gunman was captured alive, but was killed by suffocation after being bundled into a police van.

The Economist

Deaths from hanging and suffocation have risen in recent years, and accounted for 52% of all suicides in 2002.

The Economist

But the media council's slow suffocation of Klubradio, Budapest's left-leaning independent radio station, continues.In this section On the home front Hard pounding On the game Levers of power Viktor and Victor Commemoration day Euro snakes and ladders ReprintsMr Orban arouses passions across the political spectrum.

The Economist

On April 6th there were protest marches in 21 states, following the suffocation with duct tape of seven youths in the formerly quiet city of Cuernavaca.

The Economist

Amongst the allegations against him is that he was responsible for the suffocation of hundreds of Taliban prisoners during the 2001 American invasion.

The Economist

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When writing about medical or technical contexts, use "asphyxiation" or "asphyxia" for precision; in more general contexts, "suffocation" is appropriate.

Common error

Avoid using "suffocation" interchangeably with conditions like asthma or bronchitis, which involve inflammation or constriction of airways rather than complete blockage. "Suffocation" implies a complete deprivation of air.

Linguistic Context

The noun "suffocation" primarily functions to denote the act or state of being deprived of oxygen, leading to respiratory arrest. Ludwig's examples show it used both in literal contexts (e.g., death by "suffocation") and metaphorical senses (e.g., "suffocation" of professional responsibility).

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

48%

Encyclopedias

28%

Science

24%

Less common in

Formal & Business

0%

Wiki

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The term "suffocation" is a frequently used noun referring to the deprivation of oxygen. Ludwig AI validates its correct usage in various contexts, ranging from literal descriptions of death or injury to metaphorical expressions of oppression. The primary function of "suffocation" is to denote this state or act, with a neutral register suitable for both formal and informal communication. While synonyms like "asphyxiation" exist, "suffocation" remains a widely understood and accepted term, prominently featured in News & Media and Encyclopedic sources.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

asphyxiation

A more technical synonym referring specifically to the deprivation of oxygen.

asphyxia

A medical term describing the condition of severely deficient oxygen supply to the body.

smothering

Implies covering the face or nose to prevent breathing.

choking

Indicates blockage of the airway, preventing normal breathing.

airway obstruction

A medical description of a blockage preventing airflow to the lungs.

restricted breathing

A more general term indicating difficulty in breathing freely.

lack of oxygen

Highlights the absence of sufficient oxygen for bodily functions.

breathlessness

Describes the state of being short of breath.

suppression

Metaphorically used, it refers to the act of inhibiting or stifling something.

stifling

Indicates a condition of being unable to breathe easily, often in a confined space.

FAQs

How is "suffocation" different from "asphyxiation"?

"Asphyxiation" is a more technical and precise term often used in medical or forensic contexts to describe the process of being deprived of oxygen, while "suffocation" is a more general term that can describe various causes of breathing cessation.

What are some synonyms for "suffocation"?

Depending on the context, you can use synonyms like "asphyxia", "smothering", "choking", or "strangulation". Each carries slightly different implications regarding the cause of the breathing difficulty.

Can "suffocation" be used metaphorically?

Yes, "suffocation" can be used metaphorically to describe a feeling of being trapped or oppressed, such as the "suffocation" of creativity or freedom of expression.

What causes "suffocation"?

"Suffocation" can be caused by various factors, including physical obstruction of the airways, drowning, compression of the chest, or breathing toxic gases. In these cases, consider using more specific terms if applicable, like "airway obstruction".