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suffocate

[/ˈsʌfəkeɪt/]
verb
sufocar
1. To die from lack of air or oxygen
The victim was suffocated with a pillow.
A vítima foi sufocada com um travesseiro.
2. To feel unable to breathe; to feel oppressed or restricted
I feel suffocated by all these rules.
Sinto-me sufocado por todas estas regras.
3. To suppress or extinguish something
The government suffocated free speech.
O governo sufocou a liberdade de expressão.
4. To deprive of air or oxygen
The fire suffocated due to lack of oxygen.
O fogo foi sufocado pela falta de oxigênio.
Synonyms
asphyxiatechokestranglesmotherstiflesuppress
Antonyms
breatheliberatefreeencourage

Regional Variations

General Brazilian
sufocar
Standard usage across Brazil
São Paulo
sufocar
Same as general Brazilian Portuguese
Rio de Janeiro
sufocar
Same as general Brazilian Portuguese
Portugal
sufocar
Standard European Portuguese usage; may also use 'asfixiar'

Related Idioms & Phrases

suffocate under pressure - estar sufocado pela pressão
suffocate creativity - sufocar a criatividade
suffocate someone with love - sufocar alguém com amor
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