as in suffocating
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1
as in strangling
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
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
2
as in stifling
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 burying
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 smothering
Helena Madden,
Martha Stewart,
23 June 2026
The Boston Bruins would like to incorporate the Hurricanes’ smothering defense and relentless attack.
—
Fluto Shinzawa,
New York Times,
16 June 2026
The heat in the car is like an aunt who does not stop smothering us.
—
Literary Hub,
18 May 2026
The Tigers’ defense was also smothering all game.
—
Erik Anderson,
Boston Herald,
18 May 2026
Mired by the Texans’ smothering defense, Rodgers completed 17-of-33 passes for 146 yards, with no touchdowns, one interception and two fumbles.
—
Anna Lazarus Caplan,
PEOPLE,
18 May 2026
There’s probably a smart, chilling film to be made about the terrors of smothering and relentless adoration — one imagines what Rod Serling would have done with something like this — but this isn’t really that film.
—
Bilge Ebiri,
Vulture,
15 May 2026
More recently, massive desalination plants, which often double as electric power plants, have been dumping hot brine that rapidly sinks, smothering life at the Gulf’s bottom, Riegl says.
—
Meghan Bartels,
Scientific American,
14 May 2026
Plants grow rapidly in spring, smothering weeds and feeding the soil.
—
Kim Toscano,
Southern Living,
9 May 2026
Verb
Like English ivy, kudzu spreads very aggressively, smothering out native species and potentially becoming a real problem for your garden.
—
Helena Madden,
Martha Stewart,
23 June 2026
The Boston Bruins would like to incorporate the Hurricanes’ smothering defense and relentless attack.
—
Fluto Shinzawa,
New York Times,
16 June 2026
The heat in the car is like an aunt who does not stop smothering us.
—
Literary Hub,
18 May 2026
The Tigers’ defense was also smothering all game.
—
Erik Anderson,
Boston Herald,
18 May 2026
Mired by the Texans’ smothering defense, Rodgers completed 17-of-33 passes for 146 yards, with no touchdowns, one interception and two fumbles.
—
Anna Lazarus Caplan,
PEOPLE,
18 May 2026
There’s probably a smart, chilling film to be made about the terrors of smothering and relentless adoration — one imagines what Rod Serling would have done with something like this — but this isn’t really that film.
—
Bilge Ebiri,
Vulture,
15 May 2026
More recently, massive desalination plants, which often double as electric power plants, have been dumping hot brine that rapidly sinks, smothering life at the Gulf’s bottom, Riegl says.
—
Meghan Bartels,
Scientific American,
14 May 2026
Plants grow rapidly in spring, smothering weeds and feeding the soil.
—
Kim Toscano,
Southern Living,
9 May 2026
Recent Examples of Synonyms for smothering
Adjective
-
The Valkyries won their third straight game, defeating the Sparks 78-58 behind a suffocating defensive performance.
-
The Fleet played a suffocating style of hockey, with a strong forecheck and the ability to wear down opponents with relentless offensive-zone pressure.
Verb
-
Not cut the taxes strangling working families and British business.
-
Instead of having a thousand flowers bloom, a thousand weeds end up strangling them.
Verb
-
The 34 measures include cuts to income tax for low- and middle income families, an overhaul of the creaking pension system, tougher rules for employees' sick leave and a reduction of the country's stifling bureaucracy.
-
Hundreds of millions of people will be exposed to dangerous, stifling heat over the extended July 4 weekend, with officials warning people to limit time outdoors and stay hydrated.
Verb
-
No mother should endure the agony of cremation and/or burying their child.
-
It’s been over three decades since Wood was convicted of murdering six young women and girls and burying their bodies near El Paso – crimes for which he was nicknamed the Desert Killer.
Adjective
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Other booths included photo opportunities dressed in traditional Colonial garb, hands-on historical exhibits and interactive displays that offered visitors a break from the oppressive heat.
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Due to the oppressive heat, the Phillies have adjusted operations through Thursday's game.
Verb
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This practice carries risks, such as choking and aspiration, or food entering the airway.
-
Eddie Jenkins had been arrested for domestic battery for allegedly choking Kiara Jenkins in 2009, prosecutors said.
Verb
-
Ukrainian forces can now detect and strike Russian troops day and night, often suppressing positions before infantry move in.
-
The migrating dust can move from the African desert more than 5,000 miles westward over the Atlantic and is known for suppressing rainfall and conditions that support hurricanes.
Verb
-
Forward-looking firms are overcoming this by deploying advanced technical strategies.
-
Normal matter can’t be stuffed into a space tiny and dense enough without overcoming a huge outward pressure.
Cite this Entry
“Smothering.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/smothering. Accessed 7 Jul. 2026.
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