smother

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noun smoth·er \ ˈsmə-t͟hər \

Definition of smother

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

play \ˈsmə-t͟hə-rē, ˈsmət͟h-rē\ adjective

Recent Examples of smother from the Web

Smothers, who lived in the unit block of Osborne Road, was pronounced dead at the scene.

— david anderson, The Aegis, "Charges dropped in 2016 Aberdeen double homicide," 25 Aug. 2017
Smothers remains in critical condition at MedStar Washington Hospital Center.

— peter hermann, Washington Post, "Firefighters describe critically injured colleague as humble future leader," 10 Aug. 2017

These example sentences are selected automatically from various online news sources to reflect current usage of the word 'smother.' Views expressed in the examples do not represent the opinion of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.

Origin and Etymology of smother

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

NEW! Time Traveler

First Known Use: 13th century

See Words from the same year

smother

verb

Definition of smother

smothered; smothering play \ˈsmə-t͟hə-riŋ, ˈsmət͟h-riŋ\

intransitive verb

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

transitive verb

1 :to overcome or kill with smoke or fumes

2 a :to kill by depriving of air

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

c :to suppress (a fire) by excluding oxygen

3 a :to cause to smolder

b :to suppress expression or knowledge of

smothered his rage

c :to stop or prevent the growth or activity of

smother a child with too much care

; also :overwhelm

d :to cover thickly :blanket

snow smothered the trails

e :to overcome or vanquish quickly or decisively

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

See smother defined for English-language learners

See smother defined for kids

Examples of smother in a Sentence

He tried to smother her with a pillow.
She smothered the fire with a blanket.

Recent Examples of smother from the Web

But the Cheese Fest isn't just about smothering your dishes in layers of creamy, tangy fat.

— polly campbell, Cincinnati.com, "Celebrate cheese at Smale Park's Cheese Fest," 30 Aug. 2017
Even at night the heat is smothering, and a halo of bugs swirls around headlamps as the team motorboats down waterways or stalks the animals from shore.

— mitch leslie, Science | AAAS, "Something is changing the sex of Costa Rican crocodiles," 30 Aug. 2017
Coop suggests eating the insect balls in pita bread with fresh vegetables and smothered in yogurt sauce.

— richard weiss, Bloomberg.com, "Bug Burgers Are Coming to Swiss Stores," 14 Aug. 2017
Menu items include chicken fajita salad and enchiladas smothered in red pork chile, using family recipes from E.C.’s parents, natives of Guadalajara, Mexico. ▪ Brioche French Bakery & Cafe:

— joyce smith, kansascity, "Going to St. Joseph for the eclipse? Here’s everything to eat and do under the sun," 11 Aug. 2017
The offense was absolutely smothered in Saturday’s loss.

— julia b. poe, Philly.com, "Union want revenge against Columbus," 25 July 2017
These are filled with raw onions, yellow corn smothered in white cheese, and a diluted egg mixture poured from a brass teapot.

— mike sula, Chicago Reader, "The K-pop is awesome at Daebak," 11 July 2017
After a yellow card was issued ten minutes later to Puebla winger Félix Micolta, América fired another shot on frame that goalkeeper Agustin Marchesin quickly smothered.

— julia b. poe, Philly.com, "Club América wins tour match at Talen Energy Stadium," 8 July 2017
For fun: Try poutine, a quirky Canadian specialty of French fries and cheese curds smothered in gravy.

— bryce miller, sandiegouniontribune.com, "Canadian waters intrigue, treat San Diego fishing expert," 7 July 2017

First Known Use of smother

circa 1520

smother Synonyms

Synonyms

choke, stifle, strangle, suffocate

Related Words

garrote (or garotte), throttle; asphyxiate; drown; croak [slang], destroy, dispatch, do in, fell, slay

Near Antonyms

breathe, exhale, expire, inhale, inspire; resuscitate, revive

SMOTHER Defined for English Language Learners

smother

verb

Definition of smother for English Language Learners

: to kill (someone) by covering the face so that breathing is not possible
: to cover (something) in order to keep it from growing or spreading
: to try to keep (something) from happening : to try to stop doing (something)

SMOTHER Defined for Kids

smother

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verb smoth·er \ ˈsmə-t͟hər \

Definition of smother for Students

smothered; smothering

1 :to kill or injure by keeping from getting air or by exposing to smoke or fumes :suffocate

2 :to become suffocated

3 :to keep from growing or developing by or as if by covering

smother a fire

… anguish smothered her smallest joy.
—Pam Muñoz Ryan, Esperanza Rising

4 :to keep from happening :suppress

I tried to smother a yawn.

5 :to cover thickly

The salad was smothered with dressing.

Learn More about smother

See words that rhyme with smother Thesaurus: All synonyms and antonyms for smother Spanish Central: Translation of smother Nglish: Translation of smother for Spanish speakers Britannica English: Translation of smother for Arabic speakers

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Origin and Etymology of smother

smother

Definition of smother

Examples of smother in a Sentence

Recent Examples of smother from the Web

First Known Use of smother

smother Synonyms

Synonyms

Related Words

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SMOTHER Defined for English Language Learners

smother

Definition of smother for English Language Learners

SMOTHER Defined for Kids

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