suffocation

/ˌsʌfəˈkeɪʃən/
noun
  1. The act or process of dying or being unable to breathe because of a lack of air or because something blocks the airway.
    • Suffocation can occur if a person is trapped in a small, airtight space.
    • The baby's crib was cleared of pillows to reduce the risk of suffocation.
    • The cause of death was determined to be suffocation from a plastic bag.
  2. A feeling or state of being restricted or suppressed, especially in a way that prevents growth or expression.
    • The artist felt a sense of suffocation under the strict guidelines of the gallery.
    • Economic suffocation of small businesses can happen when large corporations dominate the market.
    • She described the relationship as emotional suffocation, with no room for her own needs.
Antonyms
What does "suffocation" mean? | whatsthatwordmean | whatsthatwordmean