smothered 1 of 2

smothered

2 of 2

verb

past tense of smother
1
as in strangled
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
3

Example Sentences

Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
Recent Examples of smothered
Adjective
Outside of smothered biscuit sandwiches, District Biskuits also sells mac and cheese, chicken tenders with various dipping sauces, waffle fries and other sides. Katelyn Umholtz, Kansas City Star, 27 May 2026 Breakfast is a treat, with made-from-scratch English muffins and housemade jams, plus heartier items like a smothered breakfast burrito. Condé Nast, Condé Nast Traveler, 23 Apr. 2026 Otherwise, Rhoda picks the red rice; Laurence and Oscar pick the hoppin’ John; Anthony and Brittany pick collard greens; Duyen and Brandon pick the smothered cabbage; Justin and Sherry pick potato salad; and Jonathan and Jennifer pick the hoecakes. Roxana Hadadi, Vulture, 31 Mar. 2026 Robust, malty, and melt-in-your-mouth tender, this smothered cabbage recipe will warm your soul and delight your tastebuds. Pableaux Johnson, Southern Living, 25 Nov. 2025 The smothered steak biscuit is available to order in-store and online through January 2026, a Bojangles spokesperson told CharlotteFive. Tanasia Kenney, Charlotte Observer, 7 Nov. 2025
Verb
The students were smart, curious and desperate to escape a communist system that had smothered their families’ ambitions for decades. Jack Dolan, Los Angeles Times, 11 Aug. 2026 Soldiers marched the victims to bomb craters at Kamianets-Podilskyi and turned machine guns on them; they were either shot or smothered. Usa Today, USA Today, 11 Aug. 2026 Golden State’s defense smothered the Los Angeles Sparks for much of the 84-78 victory, their fourth in a row to sweep a two-game trip. Marisa Ingemi, Mercury News, 10 Aug. 2026 The truth is smothered by lies told for power and for profit. Tonya Mosley, NPR, 10 Aug. 2026 Those findings, the warrant states, suggested Aria died of asphyxiation and was likely smothered before being placed in the pool. Grethel Aguila, Miami Herald, 5 Aug. 2026 An Enchirito is made with a warm flour tortilla filled with seasoned beef, refried beans and diced onions and is smothered in red sauce and melted shredded cheddar cheese. Teresa Mull, FOXNews.com, 3 Aug. 2026 Dirty Dom distracted Fenix, opening up the door for McDonagh, who smothered Fenix in the corner. Alfred Konuwa, Forbes.com, 31 July 2026 Hill’s movie, Outcome, had a dire one; Franco’s career was smothered by Time’s Up pressures. Peter Bart, Deadline, 30 July 2026
Recent Examples of Synonyms for smothered
Adjective
  • However, that deal fell apart after the US unleashed a fresh wave of attacks on Iran in mid-July, following Iranian strikes on vessels in the choked Strait of Hormuz.
    Billy Stockwell, CNN Money, 24 July 2026
  • San Franciscans who think Muni buses are always packed, or prone to crawl along choked streets, may find their views validated in a new slide presentation released by the Municipal Transportation Agency.
    Rachel Swan, San Francisco Chronicle, 6 Jan. 2026
Adjective
  • Think clean lines, muted colors, original artwork, and skylights in some rooms.
    Condé Nast, Condé Nast Traveler, 7 Aug. 2026
  • Fans, however, have wondered why marketing for the game has felt pretty muted outside of two trailers just over four months before launch.
    Paul Tassi, Forbes.com, 6 Aug. 2026
Verb
  • After the women arrived on January 11, 1979, Bianchi strangled them to death.
    Laura Payne, Encyclopedia Britannica, 6 Aug. 2026
  • Gutierrez Molina was reportedly strangled, while his coworker survived.
    Stepheny Price, FOXNews.com, 5 Aug. 2026
Verb
  • Raman asserted that there have been only three Inside Safe operations in her district and that her committee has been stifled by inaction from the mayor.
    Noah Goldberg, Los Angeles Times, 10 Aug. 2026
  • In the late 1800s however, the Chinese Exclusion Act stifled the thriving community, and other immigrant communities began to make their mark on Gilroy.
    Luis Melecio-Zambrano, Mercury News, 31 July 2026
Verb
  • The beloved pup died in 1840 and is buried on the grounds of Windsor Castle, per English Heritage.
    Audrey Schmidt, PEOPLE, 9 Aug. 2026
  • Also this week, the county coroner’s office released partially redacted reports confirming that all nine of the people died from asphyxiation after being buried under the snow.
    Andrew Graham, Sacbee.com, 8 Aug. 2026
Adjective
  • By the time volunteer firefighters from nearby Cachagua arrived, McCord estimated that the fire was about 70% extinguished.
    Lucy Hodgman, San Francisco Chronicle, 27 Mar. 2026
  • That conditional pick, acquired in August’s salary dump of Haywood Highsmith, effectively has become extinguished.
    Ira Winderman, Sun Sentinel, 10 Mar. 2026
Adjective
  • Many forex brokers respond to weak rankings by publishing more market guides, adding country pages and building links.
    David Ispiryan, Forbes.com, 12 Aug. 2026
  • Slow money growth means weak nominal growth and low inflation, which in turn keeps interest rates and bond yields depressed—and the yen weak.
    Nicholas Gordon, Fortune, 12 Aug. 2026
Verb
  • Just what Lee was thinking was drowned out by a TV mounted in the corner, blaring the news of the day, but the gist was clear.
    Alexandra Schwartz, New Yorker, 10 Aug. 2026
  • The director of emergency medical services for Nash County drowned Saturday in waters along North Carolina’s Crystal Coast, officials say.
    Mark Price, Charlotte Observer, 10 Aug. 2026

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Cite this Entry

“Smothered.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/smothered. Accessed 16 Aug. 2026.

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