1
as in to strangle
to be or cause to be killed by lack of breathable air
children should never play inside discarded appliances because they could become trapped and smother
Synonyms & Similar Words
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Antonyms & Near Antonyms
2
as in to stifle
to refrain from openly showing or uttering
he quickly smothered his inappropriate laughter at the funeral ceremony
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
3
as in to bury
to defeat by a large margin
the soccer team smothered their first few opponents in the championships, but lost narrowly in the final round
Synonyms & Similar Words
Example Sentences
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Recent Examples of smother
Matt Rozo, Mercury News, 19 May 2025
Both the chicken and meatball parm Hot Italians are smothered with marinara and fresh mozzarella and sprinkled with pecorino romano ($14.95).
—Joe Marusak, Charlotte Observer, 28 Apr. 2025
Jenn Harris, Los Angeles Times, 12 May 2025
Resentment may creep in when one person’s need for closeness smothers the other’s need for independence.
—Mark Travers, Forbes.com, 31 Mar. 2025
See All Example Sentences for smother
Verb
Start with a hearty dish like poutine—crispy fries smothered in gravy and cheese curds.
—Matt Rozo, Mercury News, 19 May 2025
Both the chicken and meatball parm Hot Italians are smothered with marinara and fresh mozzarella and sprinkled with pecorino romano ($14.95).
—Joe Marusak, Charlotte Observer, 28 Apr. 2025
Noun
The salt, fat and juice smother the pickles and mustard, snuffing out the vinegar and tang.
—Jenn Harris, Los Angeles Times, 12 May 2025
Resentment may creep in when one person’s need for closeness smothers the other’s need for independence.
—Mark Travers, Forbes.com, 31 Mar. 2025
See All Example Sentences for smother
Recent Examples of Synonyms for smother
Verb
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Prosecutors say that in December 2024, Tyler strangled Bruno to death at the dog’s New Rochelle home.—
Lesley Cosme Torres,
People.com,
5 June 2025
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The man then strangled the dog, injuring its neck and throat, officials said.—
Jennifer Rodriguez,
Kansas City Star,
3 June 2025
Verb
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The argument goes that laws like CEQA in part drive the housing and infrastructure crises in blue states that are stifling the party’s political fortunes.—
Liam Dillon,
Los Angeles Times,
5 June 2025
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To be a woman is to be fraught with stifling expectations about how to look, act, dress and be.—
Violet Goldstone,
Footwear News,
5 June 2025
Verb
-
Ryan Nugent-Hopkins buried a left circle wrister to cut the Panthers lead to 3-1, 3:33 into the second period.—
Jordan McPherson,
Miami Herald,
13 June 2025
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Many in Israel see such a confrontation as the best option—even though Iran’s nuclear facilities are spread across its territory, and some are buried deep underground, making any military campaign likely to be drawn-out, complicated, and hazardous.—
Arash Azizi,
The Atlantic,
12 June 2025
Noun
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The ensuite features an oversize shower that doubles as a searing-hot steam room.—
Howard Walker,
Robb Report,
11 June 2025
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The heat is generally lower in a steam room than in a dry sauna.—
Cory Martin,
Verywell Health,
11 June 2025
Verb
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On Monday, Jane gave harrowing testimony about a night in June 2024 when Combs allegedly choked, punched and kicked her in a rage.—
Nancy Dillon,
Rolling Stone,
10 June 2025
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Various items were pulled from shelves back in March, ranging from fears that teething sticks could be a choking hazard to concerns about the particular batteries in a microphone potentially overheating and igniting.—
Chloe Mayer,
MSNBC Newsweek,
10 June 2025
Verb
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In his motion to dismiss Bragg’s case, Mangione’s lawyers argued his statements to officers after his arrest should be suppressed because he wasn’t informed of his rights, which the DA’s office contests.—
Molly Crane-Newman,
New York Daily News,
5 June 2025
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Young men might be more likely to suppress emotional expression, engage in risk-taking behavior, or use substances to cope with grief.—
Charell G. Coleman,
Forbes.com,
4 June 2025
Verb
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But your brain might still seek patterns to overcome.—
Mark Travers,
Forbes.com,
10 June 2025
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Yet soon one is overcome by Charles Laughton’s creepy, convincing portrayal of Captain Bligh’s sadomasochism: most of the first fifteen minutes is taken up with floggings and other shipboard disciplining of half-naked men, shown in detail while Laughton looks on with long-lipped lasciviousness.—
Adam Gopnik,
New Yorker,
9 June 2025
Noun
-
Frequent cloud to ground lightning is occurring with this storm.—
NC Weather Bot,
Charlotte Observer,
7 June 2025
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On the ceiling of Abbie Brockman’s middle school English classroom in Perry County, the fluorescent lights are covered with images of a bright blue sky, a few clouds floating by.—
Melina Walling,
Los Angeles Times,
6 June 2025
Cite this Entry
“Smother.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/smother. Accessed 18 Jun. 2025.
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