as in suffocating
Synonyms & Similar Words
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Antonyms & Near Antonyms
1
as in strangling
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 stifling
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 burying
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
Example Sentences
Recent Examples of Synonyms for smothering
Adjective
-
In some ways, the roster is starting to look like the early 2000s, when the Steelers had a suffocating defense and a potent run game.—
Dan Pompei,
New York Times,
12 May 2025 -
Florida played its style of game in both outings, using a suffocating defense to limit quality chances and knowing Bobrovsky will swallow up whatever gets missed.—
Jordan McPherson,
Miami Herald,
25 Apr. 2025
Verb
-
He had been arrested for allegedly strangling his then-girlfriend, Johnny Faye Cartwright, in 2020.—
J. Kim Murphy,
Variety,
4 Jan. 2025
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His trouble with the law began in 2020, when he was arrested for allegedly strangling his girlfriend at an Oregon home.—
Julia Moore,
People.com,
3 Jan. 2025
Verb
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However, a lack of autonomy growing up can strongly trigger the need for independence and reinforce negative attitudes about how future relationships may continue to be stifling.—
Mark Travers,
Forbes,
5 Jan. 2025
-
For a player who has always shown so much energy and joy on the court, searching for offense with this new roster has proven to be stifling.—
Jon Krawczynski,
The Athletic,
3 Jan. 2025
Adjective
-
That this sincere notion dovetails with an itch to vacate her dour, oppressive home only adds to her determination.—
Robert Abele,
Los Angeles Times,
18 Apr. 2025
-
To be sure, Florida had its attractions, one of which was the sunny weather, although air conditioning was still rare at the time, and the heat and humidity could be oppressive for much of the year.—
Greg Daugherty,
Smithsonian Magazine,
15 Apr. 2025
Verb
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He was inspired to learn after watching a teacher use the method to help another student who was choking.—
Sam Gillette,
People.com,
11 Mar. 2025
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Quick thinking by a 9-year-old boy in North Carolina helped save his friend who started choking at recess.—
Sam Gillette,
People.com,
11 Mar. 2025
Verb
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Instead of suppressing your emotions, practice emotional validation—acknowledge and accept your feelings without judgment.—
Mark Travers,
Forbes,
23 Dec. 2024
-
His approach promises a more collaborative regulatory framework, fostering innovation rather than suppressing it.—
Leeor Shimron,
Forbes,
23 Dec. 2024
Verb
-
The younger of the two, Bella, is unscathed; her sister had jumped into a pool to rescue her and ended up drowning herself.—
Stephanie Sengwe,
People.com,
10 Apr. 2025
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The Los Angeles County Medical Examiner-Coroner released its official report on Carter's death on April 18, 2023, attributing his cause of death to drowning after inhaling difluoroethane and taking alprazolam, the generic form of brand-name Xanax.—
Johnny Dodd,
People.com,
9 Apr. 2025
Verb
-
Kids older than one year can be given honey to help neutralize the damage, but swallowing a button battery is a life-threatening emergency for which parents should immediately seek medical care.—
Ryan Murphy,
The Indianapolis Star,
24 Dec. 2024
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Symptoms include general weakness, muscle weakness, dizziness, double-vision, abdominal tension, constipation, trouble with speaking or swallowing and difficulty in breathing.—
Josh Hammer,
Newsweek,
23 Dec. 2024
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Cite this Entry
“Smothering.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/smothering. Accessed 23 May. 2025.
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