asphyxiate vs obstruct

asphyxiate and obstruct both are verbs.

Word	Noun	Adjective	Verb	Adverb
asphyxiate	No	No	Yes	No
obstruct	No	No	Yes	No

As verbs, obstruct is a hypernym of asphyxiate; that is, obstruct is a word with a broader meaning than asphyxiate:

Other hypernyms of asphyxiate include block, close up, impede, jam, obturate, occlude.

asphyxiate (verb)	obstruct (verb)
be asphyxiated; die from lack of oxygen	block passage through
deprive of oxygen and prevent from breathing	shut out from view or get in the way so as to hide from sight
impair the respiration of or obstruct the air passage of	hinder or prevent the progress or accomplishment of