Understanding the Verbs: Stifle, Throttle, Suffocate, Strangle, Choke, and Asphyxiate

The English language has a variety of verbs to describe actions related to restricting breathing or movement, each with its specific nuances. Words like stifle, throttle, suffocate, strangle, choke, and asphyxiate are often used in contexts ranging from the literal to the figurative. In this article, we’ll explore the meanings, uses, and subtle differences among these terms.

1. Stifle

Definition: To suppress, restrain, or stop something (literal or figurative).

• Example (Literal): The heat in the room was stifling, making it hard to breathe.

• Example (Figurative): She stifled her laughter during the meeting.

Key Points:

• Often used figuratively to refer to emotions or creativity being suppressed.

• Can also describe a physical sense of discomfort, such as being in a stuffy room.

2. Throttle

Definition: To choke or strangle someone, often forcefully or violently.

• Example: He threatened to throttle the villain in self-defense.

Key Points:

• Primarily used to describe manual choking or strangulation.

• Figuratively, it can mean to suppress or control something aggressively, such as "throttling" the speed of a vehicle or internet connection.

3. Suffocate

Definition: To die or cause to die due to lack of air; to feel oppressed or overwhelmed.

• Example (Literal): The smoke from the fire made it hard to breathe, and they nearly suffocated.

• Example (Figurative): She felt suffocated by the constant demands of her job.

Key Points:

• Describes the inability to breathe, whether caused by external forces or internal circumstances.

• Frequently used metaphorically to express feelings of being overwhelmed or stifled.

4. Strangle

Definition: To kill by squeezing the neck, cutting off air and/or blood flow.

• Example (Literal): The villain tried to strangle his victim.

• Example (Figurative): The new regulations are strangling small businesses.

Key Points:

• Focuses on cutting off airflow or circulation to kill or incapacitate.

• Often used figuratively to describe suppressing or hindering something’s growth or success.

5. Choke

Definition: To have difficulty breathing due to an obstruction in the throat or other external factors.

• Example (Literal): He choked on a piece of food during dinner.

• Example (Figurative): She choked during the exam, unable to remember the answers.

Key Points:

• Can describe an accidental inability to breathe caused by food or objects.

• Figuratively, it’s used to describe moments of nervousness or failure under pressure.

6. Asphyxiate

Definition: To die or cause to die from lack of oxygen, typically due to an obstruction or environment.

• Example (Literal): The victim was asphyxiated by poisonous gas.

Key Points:

• A more technical or clinical term compared to "suffocate."

• Commonly used in medical or legal contexts to describe death from oxygen deprivation.

Comparison of the Terms

1. Stifle vs. Suffocate:

   • Stifle often refers to emotional suppression, while suffocate emphasizes physical or metaphorical breathlessness.

   • Example: She stifled a yawn vs. She felt suffocated in the crowded elevator.

2. Throttle vs. Strangle:

   • Throttle focuses on a violent act of choking, while strangle refers more specifically to cutting off air or circulation.

   • Example: He throttled the attacker vs. She tried to strangle the snake with her hands.

3. Choke vs. Asphyxiate:

   • Choke is commonly used for momentary obstructions, while asphyxiate refers to a prolonged lack of oxygen leading to death.

   • Example: He choked on a piece of candy vs. The gas leak asphyxiated the residents.

Exercises:

1. Fill in the Blanks

Choose the most appropriate verb to complete the sentences: stifle, throttle, suffocate, strangle, choke, or asphyxiate.

a. The intense heat in the room made everyone feel as if they were about to ______.
b. The criminal tried to ______ his victim, but the police arrived in time to stop him.
c. She had to ______ her tears during the emotional speech.
d. He began to ______ on a piece of candy and needed the Heimlich maneuver.
e. The toxic gas in the laboratory could ______ anyone exposed to it for too long.
f. His aggressive behavior almost made him ______ the internet company CEO during the argument.

2. Synonym Identification

Match the sentence with the correct verb. Write the letter of the verb next to the sentence.

a. Stifle
b. Throttle
c. Suffocate
d. Strangle
e. Choke
f. Asphyxiate

1. The victim couldn’t breathe because their neck was tightly squeezed. (___)

2. He accidentally swallowed food the wrong way and started coughing uncontrollably. (___)

3. The protesters said the government was trying to suppress their voices. (___)

4. The smoke from the burning building left several people unable to breathe. (___)

5. The attacker held his hands around the victim’s neck, cutting off air and circulation. (___)

6. The toxic fumes in the confined space caused several workers to lose consciousness. (___)

3. Rewrite the Sentences

Rewrite the following sentences by replacing the italicized words with one of the six verbs: stifle, throttle, suffocate, strangle, choke, or asphyxiate.

a. The poisonous gas caused several miners to die from a lack of oxygen. (Replace the italicized phrase)
b. He couldn’t speak because food was stuck in his throat. (Replace the italicized phrase)
c. The excessive workload felt oppressive and overwhelming. (Replace the italicized phrase)
d. The heated argument nearly led one of the men to hold the other’s neck and cut off his breathing. (Replace the italicized phrase)
e. The mother tightly hugged her child to calm them down but had to be careful not to press too hard. (Replace the italicized phrase)

4. Sentence Correction

Identify and correct the mistakes in these sentences.

a. The comedian stifled on his drink during the performance.
b. She choked her anger and calmly continued the discussion.
c. Toxic gases can stifle workers if they aren’t wearing protective masks.
d. The villain tried to asphyxiate his rival by pressing on their neck.
e. Over time, excessive rules can throttle creativity in a workplace.

5. Multiple-Choice Questions

Select the correct verb to complete the sentence:

1. The restrictive environment felt oppressive, as though it would ______ her creativity.

   • a. Choke

   • b. Stifle

   • c. Throttle

   • d. Asphyxiate

2. During the intense argument, he almost grabbed the other person by the neck to ______ him.

   • a. Suffocate

   • b. Throttle

   • c. Stifle

   • d. Asphyxiate

3. The large piece of steak caused him to ______, but luckily someone performed the Heimlich maneuver.

   • a. Choke

   • b. Suffocate

   • c. Stifle

   • d. Strangle

4. The victim was exposed to toxic gas and died from lack of oxygen; they were ______.

   • a. Stifled

   • b. Strangled

   • c. Asphyxiated

   • d. Throttled

5. The oppressive heat in the crowded train made many passengers feel as though they were about to ______.

   • a. Choke

   • b. Suffocate

   • c. Strangle

   • d. Throttle