
Asphyxiate
Severe Connotation
Indicates a serious, often fatal situation, usually an emergency or accident.

The miners were asphyxiated after the shaft caved in.
Not Always Death
Can result in death, but may also mean nearly suffocated or in danger of suffocating.

He almost asphyxiated on a piece of candy.
External Force
Implies an external cause or object is preventing breathing.

She was asphyxiated by the malfunctioning gas heater.
Compare with
ChokeDrownMuzzleSmotherStifleStrangleSuffocateThrottle
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