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
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Antonyms & Near Antonyms
2
as in stifled
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 whipped
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
1
as in choked
Related Words
Dissimilar Words
2
as in muted
Related Words
Dissimilar Words
Example Sentences
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to
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Recent Examples of smothered
Maggie Meyer Glisan, Better Homes & Gardens, 23 Oct. 2025
Over time, it was smothered by sand brought in to replenish the beach.
—Greg Allen, NPR, 21 Oct. 2025
Until Toliver ran into Mullen senior defensive end Mason Bonner, who led a swarm of defenders and smothered Toliver for a 3-yard loss.
—Patrick Saunders, Denver Post, 18 Oct. 2025
There’s no lawn to be smothered by two feet of piled up, soaking wet winter leaves.
—Paul Cappiello, Louisville Courier Journal, 17 Oct. 2025
Grass doesn’t like being smothered.
—Arricca Elin Sansone, Southern Living, 16 Oct. 2025
The Sharks are now in their 34th season, and Tuesday’s game marked just the fourth time they’ve been held without a shot in a period as they were smothered by the tight-checking Hurricanes.
—Curtis Pashelka, Mercury News, 15 Oct. 2025
And Mac Jones is out in San Francisco, reminding everyone what confidence and a great teacher can look like together, when they’re not smothered by dysfunction.
—Dianna Russini, New York Times, 11 Oct. 2025
In Philadelphia, they are traditionally served with ribeye steak, smothered with provolone or Cheez-Whiz in a white bun.
—Ella Gonzales, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 26 Sep. 2025
Adjective
These downhome potatoes earn their Western stripes by sizzling in bacon grease before getting smothered with barbecue sauce, cheese, peppers, and plenty of crispy bacon.
—Maggie Meyer Glisan, Better Homes & Gardens, 23 Oct. 2025
Over time, it was smothered by sand brought in to replenish the beach.
—Greg Allen, NPR, 21 Oct. 2025
Until Toliver ran into Mullen senior defensive end Mason Bonner, who led a swarm of defenders and smothered Toliver for a 3-yard loss.
—Patrick Saunders, Denver Post, 18 Oct. 2025
There’s no lawn to be smothered by two feet of piled up, soaking wet winter leaves.
—Paul Cappiello, Louisville Courier Journal, 17 Oct. 2025
Grass doesn’t like being smothered.
—Arricca Elin Sansone, Southern Living, 16 Oct. 2025
The Sharks are now in their 34th season, and Tuesday’s game marked just the fourth time they’ve been held without a shot in a period as they were smothered by the tight-checking Hurricanes.
—Curtis Pashelka, Mercury News, 15 Oct. 2025
And Mac Jones is out in San Francisco, reminding everyone what confidence and a great teacher can look like together, when they’re not smothered by dysfunction.
—Dianna Russini, New York Times, 11 Oct. 2025
In Philadelphia, they are traditionally served with ribeye steak, smothered with provolone or Cheez-Whiz in a white bun.
—Ella Gonzales, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 26 Sep. 2025
Recent Examples of Synonyms for smothered
Verb
-
Detectives determined that Spillers had been strangled based on bruising that could be seen on her neck, detectives wrote in the affidavit.—
Shambhavi Rimal,
Fort Worth Star-Telegram,
24 Oct. 2025
-
The criticism even included attacks on her appearance and calls for her to be burned, raped or strangled.—
Janelle Griffith,
PEOPLE,
22 Oct. 2025
Verb
-
The Indians started to put together another seemingly productive drive until a fumble stifled the plans, and Lowell took over in Billerica territory.—
Erik Anderson,
Boston Herald,
18 Oct. 2025
-
That could have stifled the Dodgers’ offensive night.—
Andy McCullough,
New York Times,
14 Oct. 2025
Verb
-
LaVine and Monk whipped the crowd into a frenzy, combining to make 17 of 32 from the field and 10 of 18 from 3-point range as the Kings bounced back from a season-opening loss to the Phoenix Suns.—
Jason Anderson,
Sacbee.com,
25 Oct. 2025
-
The cold brew is bitter but topped with a fluffy, whipped cold foam that tastes almondy, sweet and spice-filled.—
Fort Worth Star-Telegram,
Fort Worth Star-Telegram,
24 Oct. 2025
Adjective
-
It was all suitably muted and understated.—
Anna Cafolla,
Vogue,
25 Oct. 2025
-
BeCalm is full of smart little touches that make life easier — think hidden pockets for your phone, buttery-soft fabrics that never cling, and muted tones that actually make getting dressed feel calming.—
Katie Ann Lehman,
StyleCaster,
24 Oct. 2025
Verb
-
Florida trail attack suspect escorted to sheriff's cruiser In addition to being choked unconscious, a police affidavit identified injuries to both of her eyes and her nose.—
Michael Ruiz,
FOXNews.com,
21 Oct. 2025
-
In the quiet of the Sabbath morning when all the neighborhood was wrapped in slumber, some dastardly degenerate crept into the room, choked her to death, assaulted her criminally and left her bruised and bleeding body lying on the bed.—
Literary Hub,
Literary Hub,
16 Oct. 2025
Verb
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However, these cells are normally suppressed by testosterone and kept in check by the body’s overall hormone balance.—
Dr. Jamin Brahmbhatt,
CNN Money,
26 Oct. 2025
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The autocratic czarist regime ruled with an iron hand and suppressed opposition through censorship, banishment, and executions.—
Karl Ove Knausgaard,
New Yorker,
21 Oct. 2025
Verb
-
As the lore goes, King’s daughter’s cat was struck by a truck and buried on a hill behind the house, inspiring the plot for his 1983 novel Pet Sematary.—
Katie Schultz,
Architectural Digest,
23 Oct. 2025
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Then, a flash flood buried the bodies in sediment.—
Amanda Schupak,
CNN Money,
23 Oct. 2025
Adjective
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The videos, which were shared online, showed baby monkeys being crushed, burned, drowned, suffocated, impaled and mutilated.—
Kevin Grasha,
Cincinnati Enquirer,
1 Oct. 2025
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Additionally, soil that is constantly wet can become compacted, which the horticulturist says could reduce its ability to drain properly leading to suffocated roots that are unable to expand properly.—
Patricia Shannon,
Southern Living,
18 Sep. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Smothered.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/smothered. Accessed 28 Oct. 2025.
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