Synonyms of smother

smother 1 of 2

verb

ˈsmə-t͟hər 

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

• strangle
• choke
• stifle
• suffocate
• drown
• destroy
• throttle
• slay
• asphyxiate
• fell
• garrote
• dispatch
• croak
• do in

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

• breathe
• inspire
• expire
• inhale
• revive
• exhale
• resuscitate

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

• stifle
• suppress
• swallow
• repress
• strangle
• choke (back)
• contain
• submerge
• control
• manage
• hold back
• sink
• quash
• govern
• quell
• curb
• pocket
• check
• squelch
• muffle
• bridle
• bottle up

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

• express
• release
• take out
• unleash
• loose
• vent

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

• bury
• overcome
• throw
• flatten
• annihilate
• bomb
• overwhelm
• whip
• upset
• beat
• skin
• cream
• smoke
• dust
• thrash
• trim
• blow away
• paste
• rout
• master
• take
• destroy
• trounce
• clobber
• top
• wax
• surpass
• sweep
• conquer
• exceed
• snow under
• drub
• succeed
• subdue
• whomp
• worst
• best
• crush
• eat alive
• wallop
• better
• whup
• tromp
• beat the pants off
• score
• lick
• whop
• shellac
• overpower
• skunk
• wipe the floor with
• subjugate
• dispatch
• run circles around
• surmount
• vanquish
• overthrow
• outdo
• outshine
• prevail (over)
• triumph (over)
• cap
• win (against)
• overbear
• slaughter
• outstrip
• transcend
• overtop
• finish
• outdistance
• flourish
• upend
• ace (out)
• knock over
• excel
• hurdle
• overmatch
• eclipse
• edge (out)
• knock off
• outfight
• sink
• break
• pip
• nose out
• do in

smother

2 of 2

noun

as in steam

Related Words

• steam
• cloud
• fume
• smoke
• bank
• miasma
• gauze
• reek
• soup
• smog
• mist
• haze
• fog
• brume
• murk

Example Sentences

Recent Examples of smother

Verb

There’s the brutal heat; the skin-destroying UV rays of that miserable, scorching, eye-blinding sun; the constant allergy/sinusitis issues that never let up; the smothering humidity. — Eric Thomas, Sun Sentinel, 8 Oct. 2026

The circumstances are objectively potent — but Udofia smothers them in such a barrage of cutesiness and self-conscious signalling that a wall rises between us and the play. — Sara Holdren, Vulture, 2 Oct. 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