1
as in choked
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Dissimilar Words
2
as in muted
Related Words
Dissimilar Words
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
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 buried
to defeat by a large margin
the soccer team smothered their first few opponents in the championships, but lost narrowly in the final round
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Example Sentences
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to
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Recent Examples of smothered
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
Tara Massouleh McCay, Southern Living, 14 Feb. 2026
The heady sensuality of Aїnouz’s best films (Invisible Life, Madame Satã) is somewhat smothered by the cold cerebral mischief of Filippou’s writing.
—David Rooney, HollywoodReporter, 14 Feb. 2026
Mills raised his leg and screamed in celebration — one of the iconic moments in Seattle’s 29-13 victory as its defense smothered the Patriots.
—Daniel I. Dorfman, Chicago Tribune, 12 Feb. 2026
Indulge in a half-lobster smothered in miso butter, served over housemade noodles in a rich miso broth with all the fixings (like corn and namaru).
—Amy Drew Thompson, The Orlando Sentinel, 5 Feb. 2026
As a person traveling alone, I was checked on frequently, but discreetly—I was attended to, but not smothered.
—Condé Nast, Condé Nast Traveler, 5 Feb. 2026
Charbroiled oysters, covered and smothered in butter and parmesan.
—Torrey Hart, New York Times, 1 Feb. 2026
These smothered pork chops provide big flavor with minimal cleanup.
—Heather Riske, Better Homes & Gardens, 28 Jan. 2026
The potential for that was uncertain as heavy snow smothered local streets.
—Katie Landeck, The Providence Journal, 25 Jan. 2026
Adjective
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 bun was buttery and slightly sweet, the pickles and mustard lended a bit of tang to the unctuous beef patties smothered in melty American cheese, and the sweet-but-slightly-spicy Sassy Sauce brought it all together without overpowering any other flavors.
—Tara Massouleh McCay, Southern Living, 14 Feb. 2026
The heady sensuality of Aїnouz’s best films (Invisible Life, Madame Satã) is somewhat smothered by the cold cerebral mischief of Filippou’s writing.
—David Rooney, HollywoodReporter, 14 Feb. 2026
Mills raised his leg and screamed in celebration — one of the iconic moments in Seattle’s 29-13 victory as its defense smothered the Patriots.
—Daniel I. Dorfman, Chicago Tribune, 12 Feb. 2026
Indulge in a half-lobster smothered in miso butter, served over housemade noodles in a rich miso broth with all the fixings (like corn and namaru).
—Amy Drew Thompson, The Orlando Sentinel, 5 Feb. 2026
As a person traveling alone, I was checked on frequently, but discreetly—I was attended to, but not smothered.
—Condé Nast, Condé Nast Traveler, 5 Feb. 2026
Charbroiled oysters, covered and smothered in butter and parmesan.
—Torrey Hart, New York Times, 1 Feb. 2026
These smothered pork chops provide big flavor with minimal cleanup.
—Heather Riske, Better Homes & Gardens, 28 Jan. 2026
The potential for that was uncertain as heavy snow smothered local streets.
—Katie Landeck, The Providence Journal, 25 Jan. 2026
Recent Examples of Synonyms for smothered
Adjective
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This provided a clean palette for the recreation of muted, period-accurate tones with subtle, textured colors set against the deep wood grains, which complemented the 35mm Kodak film stock.—
Bill Desowitz,
HollywoodReporter,
19 Feb. 2026
-
Queen’s impact has been a bit more muted and inconsistent since Zion Williamson re-entered the lineup for the New Orleans Pelicans.—
Sam Vecenie,
New York Times,
19 Feb. 2026
Verb
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Getty Images Since the June strikes, Iran’s rulers have been weakened by street protests, suppressed at a cost of thousands of lives, against a cost-of-living crisis driven in part by international sanctions that have strangled the country’s oil income.—
Max Burman,
NBC news,
17 Feb. 2026
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Hanlon was out hiking when Hall assaulted and strangled her to death.—
Kevin Fixler,
Idaho Statesman,
10 Feb. 2026
Verb
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Impressive defense from Vanderbilt stifled A&M's shooters and forced 11 Aggie turnovers.—
American Statesman staff,
Austin American Statesman,
14 Feb. 2026
-
She feels stifled when she can’t be trusted to do things on her own.—
Los Angeles Times,
Los Angeles Times,
10 Feb. 2026
Verb
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In Monkayo, a gold-mining town in Davao de Oro province near Davao Oriental, the remains of three people were recovered after their house was buried late Thursday by a landslide, Dayanghirang and other officials said.—
Arkansas Online,
Arkansas Online,
21 Feb. 2026
-
With only Canada goalie Jordan Binnington to beat, Haula deked him and buried the puck in the net.—
Andrew Greif,
NBC news,
20 Feb. 2026
Adjective
-
Crackle, fizz, pop, extinguished.—
Literary Hub,
Literary Hub,
3 Nov. 2025
-
With all these no-shows this year, shouldn’t City Hall reach out in the spirit of bipartisanship and extend an invite to the extinguished solon Tran?—
Howie Carr,
Boston Herald,
22 Aug. 2025
Adjective
-
The past four years of conflict have exposed more than one faulty assumption, not least the previously widespread belief even among Kyiv’s allies that Ukraine would be too weak, too disorganized, to resist a full-scale invasion.—
Matthew Chance,
CNN Money,
21 Feb. 2026
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Continue reading … PARTY RECKONING — Cortez Masto admits Democrats have been 'weak on immigration,' chides Biden.—
,
FOXNews.com,
20 Feb. 2026
Verb
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Israeli settler violence and settlement expansion has grown, and daily Palestinian life has been choked by movement restrictions and military raids.—
Daniel Estrin,
NPR,
13 Feb. 2026
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Three years after the incident involving Cordell, a prisoner claimed he was assaulted, choked and Tazed by Hadder while on day release for a family reunion at a Waffle House.—
Rob Picheta,
CNN Money,
7 Feb. 2026
Verb
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Last month, security forces brutally suppressed nationwide protests, killing thousands and arresting many more in the deadliest suppression of demonstrations in the history of the Islamic Republic.—
Farida Elsebai,
CNN Money,
20 Feb. 2026
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Students have participated in other forms of protest during the school day, which King and Hendrick said was a reaction to feeling that their voices were suppressed.—
Cate Charron,
IndyStar,
19 Feb. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Smothered.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/smothered. Accessed 22 Feb. 2026.
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