smother

1 of 2

verb

smoth·​er ˈsmə-t͟hər 

smothered; smothering ˈsmə-t͟hə-riŋ 

ˈsmət͟h-riŋ

transitive verb

1

a

: to kill by depriving of air

b

: to suppress (a fire) by excluding oxygen

c

: to overcome or discomfit through or as if through lack of air

2

a

: to suppress expression or knowledge of

smothered his rage

b

: to stop or prevent the growth or activity of

smother a child with too much care

also : overwhelm

c

: to cover thickly : blanket

snow smothered the trails

d

: to overcome or vanquish quickly or decisively

e

: to cause to smolder

3

: to overcome or kill with smoke or fumes

4

: to cook in a covered pan or pot with little liquid over low heat

intransitive verb

: to be overcome or killed through or as if through lack of air

smother

2 of 2

noun

1

a

: thick stifling smoke or smudge

b

: a state of being stifled or suppressed

2

: a dense cloud (as of fog or dust)

3

: a confused multitude of things : welter

smothery

ˈsmə-t͟hə-rē 

ˈsmət͟h-rē

adjective

Synonyms

Verb

• choke
• stifle
• strangle
• suffocate

Examples of smother in a Sentence

Verb

He tried to smother her with a pillow.

She smothered the fire with a blanket.

Recent Examples on the Web

Verb

The electric monopolies, gas utilities and oil refineries that have spent two centuries smothering us with fossil fuels, meanwhile, are driven by profits. —Sammy Roth, Los Angeles Times, 18 Apr. 2024

The mother of 5-year-old twins found smothered to death in New York City is facing murder charges related to their deaths, according to several media reports. —Kimberlee Speakman, Peoplemag, 10 Apr. 2024

Word History

Etymology

Noun

Middle English, alteration of smorther, from smoren to smother, from Old English smorian to suffocate; akin to Middle Dutch smoren to suffocate

First Known Use

Verb

circa 1520, in the meaning defined at intransitive sense

Noun

13th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1a

Kids Definition

smother

verb

smoth·​er

ˈsmət͟h-ər

smothered; smothering

-(ə-)riŋ

1

: to be overcome or killed through lack of air

2

: to overcome or kill by depriving of air or exposing to smoke or fumes

3

a

: to prevent the development or actions of

smother a child with too much care

b

: to cover up : suppress

smother a yawn

c

: to cover thickly

steak smothered with mushrooms