ˈdæmpən niː ni mʌfl̩ ɹəˈpɹɛs ˈstɹæŋɡ(ə)l ˈstɹæŋɡəl be asphyxiated; die from lack of oxygen The child suffocated under the pillow suppress or constrain so as to lessen in intensity Stifle your curiosity impair the respiration of or obstruct the air passage of The foul air was slowly suffocating the children suppress in order to conceal or hide smother a yawn muffle one's anger strangle a laugh repress a cry of fear joint between the femur and tibia in a quadruped; corresponds to the human knee