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
Fluto Shinzawa,
New York Times,
16 June 2026
Up in the attic, a melty miasma smothers the thick winter coats, which hurt me to even look at.
—
Kieran Press-Reynolds,
Pitchfork,
15 June 2026
Ashley Chalmers,
The Spruce,
13 May 2026
The evergreen vines carpet forest floors and smother native wildflowers year-round.
—
Brandee Gruener,
Southern Living,
20 Apr. 2026
See All Example Sentences for smother
Verb
The Boston Bruins would like to incorporate the Hurricanes’ smothering defense and relentless attack.
—
Fluto Shinzawa,
New York Times,
16 June 2026
Up in the attic, a melty miasma smothers the thick winter coats, which hurt me to even look at.
—
Kieran Press-Reynolds,
Pitchfork,
15 June 2026
Noun
Cardboard or newspaper layers can be placed under mulch to further smother weeds and enrich the soil.
—
Ashley Chalmers,
The Spruce,
13 May 2026
The evergreen vines carpet forest floors and smother native wildflowers year-round.
—
Brandee Gruener,
Southern Living,
20 Apr. 2026
See All Example Sentences for smother
Recent Examples of Synonyms for smother
Verb
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Instead of having a thousand flowers bloom, a thousand weeds end up strangling them.
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She was likely strangled, the pathologist concluded.
Verb
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The governor has raised concerns that the tax would drive the state’s wealthiest residents out of California, doing long-term damage to the state’s tax base and stifling innovation.
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After feeling stifled in the corporate world, Gaudin said Inches has given him the freedom to embrace his creativity and show other LGBTQ+ entrepreneurs that ownership is possible.
Verb
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Despite the lack of goals, the game was exciting with end-to-end runs and missed chances that left fans of both teams groaning and burying their heads in their hands.
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After receiving a pass in the right side of the box, Dembélé very patiently made his way to his left before burying yet another left-footed strike into the goal.
Noun
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The primary suite occupies its own wing and comes complete with dual baths — one with stone and steam, the other with a soaking tub — a sun deck and private coffee bar.
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His-and-hers hydrotherapy facilities each have a vitality pool, aroma-steam room, sauna, ice fountain and experience showers.
Verb
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The campaign has choked Russian fuel supplies and military deliveries, stalling Russia's efforts on the battlefield, Western officials and analysts say, and heaped pressure on Russian President Vladimir Putin.
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Remove chokes from artichokes and steam in small amount of water for 15 minutes, adding water to pan as needed.
Verb
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Things like trying to disqualify the entire Utah County Attorney's Office, trying to get some of the evidence suppressed, trying to get a contempt order because the prosecutors violated the court's gag order.
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One key group that appeared to be suppressed, Prevotella species, may interfere with the production of nitric oxide.
Verb
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Rather than be benched, Devers batted cleanup, overcame an 0-for-3 start, and singled up the middle in the seventh to score Bryce Eldridge, who narrowly beat a tag at the plate for a 3-1 lead.
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Its highly specialized strategy likely evolved to take advantage of the ant’s natural aggression and then overcome its defenses; the slingshot mechanism flings the ant from the foraging trail, reducing the risk that the spider will be swarmed by other workers, the researchers hypothesized.
Noun
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Around the time a helicopter carrying a newlywed couple departed from their North Georgia wedding venue, the skies were potentially rainy and foggy with a 200-foot cloud ceiling, federal officials said in a preliminary safety report about the deadly crash.
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The Weather Prediction Center said the high heat may finally begin to abate from west to east this weekend, with upper temperature limits possibly restricted by clouds and thunderstorms.
Cite this Entry
“Smother.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/smother. Accessed 2 Jul. 2026.
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