as in suffocating
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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
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Antonyms & Near Antonyms
2
as in stifling
to refrain from openly showing or uttering
he quickly smothered his inappropriate laughter at the funeral ceremony
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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
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Recent Examples of smothering
Melissa Fleur Afshar, MSNBC Newsweek, 7 Nov. 2025
The Agfabric frost blanket is a simple way to protect plants from frost, wind and pests without smothering them.
—Nora Colomer
May Earn A Commission If You Buy Through Our Referral Links. This Content Was Created By A Team That Works Independently From The Fox Newsroom., FOXNews.com, 16 Oct. 2025
On the table next to Captain Purdie’s bunk is what looks like a copper coin, a fringe of glutinous seaweed smothering it to the surface of the wood.
—Literary Hub, 10 Oct. 2025
Liam Berlien was credited with smothering the ball, giving his team a first down at the East Ridge 7-yard line.
—Tris Wykes, Twin Cities, 27 Sep. 2025
Both of the Ichabods’ touchdowns in this game came on screen passes, which was easily the most effective way Washburn attacked an otherwise smothering defense.
—Corey Masisak, Denver Post, 14 Sep. 2025
An offseason of change came to fruition under the lights at Bank of America Stadium on Friday night, with first-year head coach Dowell Loggains’ Appalachian State Mountaineers smothering the Charlotte 49ers from start to finish, grabbing a 34-11 season-opening victory.
—Hunter Bailey, Charlotte Observer, 30 Aug. 2025
Naomi is a textbook Jewish mother, nagging and cajoling and smothering her children with logorrheic abandon.
—Alison Herman, Variety, 22 Aug. 2025
Led by Parker, Allen has star power and depth reminiscent of the smothering 2017 to 2019 units the allowed less than 290 yards per game.
—Tom Layberger, Forbes.com, 19 Aug. 2025
Verb
Brett Gelman, as the zany Murray, became a fan-favorite recurring character, while Cara Buono continued her role as Mike Wheeler's likable but smothering mom, Karen Wheeler.
—Melissa Fleur Afshar, MSNBC Newsweek, 7 Nov. 2025
The Agfabric frost blanket is a simple way to protect plants from frost, wind and pests without smothering them.
—Nora Colomer
May Earn A Commission If You Buy Through Our Referral Links. This Content Was Created By A Team That Works Independently From The Fox Newsroom., FOXNews.com, 16 Oct. 2025
On the table next to Captain Purdie’s bunk is what looks like a copper coin, a fringe of glutinous seaweed smothering it to the surface of the wood.
—Literary Hub, 10 Oct. 2025
Liam Berlien was credited with smothering the ball, giving his team a first down at the East Ridge 7-yard line.
—Tris Wykes, Twin Cities, 27 Sep. 2025
Both of the Ichabods’ touchdowns in this game came on screen passes, which was easily the most effective way Washburn attacked an otherwise smothering defense.
—Corey Masisak, Denver Post, 14 Sep. 2025
An offseason of change came to fruition under the lights at Bank of America Stadium on Friday night, with first-year head coach Dowell Loggains’ Appalachian State Mountaineers smothering the Charlotte 49ers from start to finish, grabbing a 34-11 season-opening victory.
—Hunter Bailey, Charlotte Observer, 30 Aug. 2025
Naomi is a textbook Jewish mother, nagging and cajoling and smothering her children with logorrheic abandon.
—Alison Herman, Variety, 22 Aug. 2025
Led by Parker, Allen has star power and depth reminiscent of the smothering 2017 to 2019 units the allowed less than 290 yards per game.
—Tom Layberger, Forbes.com, 19 Aug. 2025
Recent Examples of Synonyms for smothering
Adjective
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Doors and windows were locked, producing a suffocating effect in the hot weather.—
Literary Hub,
Literary Hub,
16 Oct. 2025
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For Perrie Edwards, the studio can be both a sanctuary and a suffocating cocoon.—
Sophie Williams,
Billboard,
24 Sep. 2025
Verb
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The man previously on Florida’s Death Row for beating, stabbing and strangling a La Carreta waitress with a rice cooker — before lighting a blaze to destroy key evidence — should be condemned to die, Miami prosecutors told a jury after detailing the slaying on Wednesday morning.—
Grethel Aguila,
Miami Herald,
5 Nov. 2025
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When Josh got home five minutes later, Martin met him at the door with a knife and chased him upstairs, stabbing him and then strangling him with a belt or a rope, Evans said.—
KC Baker,
PEOPLE,
30 Oct. 2025
Verb
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The space was stifling in the Louisiana heat, so fans were blowing for everyone inside.—
Luke Chinman,
PEOPLE,
31 Oct. 2025
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Like the face-to-face collaboration benefits lost at GISS, employees fear shutting down Goddard's cafeteria will be stifling.—
Josh Dinner,
Space.com,
31 Oct. 2025
Verb
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Junior midfielder Summer Diamond scored first for the Aggies (10-6-6), burying a goal in the bottom right corner off her left foot in the 49th minute.—
Rachel Roberts,
Idaho Statesman,
9 Nov. 2025
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After burying Helen, Carol arranges a meeting with the remaining unjoined survivors who speak English and is astonished to find that all five of them are content with how things have changed.—
Erin Qualey,
Vulture,
7 Nov. 2025
Adjective
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These political executions are a callous attempt by the authorities to frighten and silence an increasingly restive population no longer willing to accept their corrupt and oppressive rule.—
Jackson Thompson,
FOXNews.com,
6 Nov. 2025
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Unlike the oppressive governments that have been affiliated with the socialist movement, modern-day democratic socialism strictly advocates for policies that can be enacted without threatening the power of the people.—
Meredith Kile,
PEOPLE,
4 Nov. 2025
Verb
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The clouds billowed as far east as New York, choking farm economies in the middle of the country and sending millions of people on the move.—
Vann R. Newkirk II,
The Atlantic,
10 Nov. 2025
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The two eventually fell to the floor of the bus, and the choking continued, according to the complaint.—
Teri Figueroa,
San Diego Union-Tribune,
8 Nov. 2025
Verb
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As Charlotte explains, barely suppressing her resentment, Leroy is concerned that her commitment to the cause could stall his ascent at work.—
Louis Peitzman,
Vulture,
10 Nov. 2025
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The damage from Biden’s inner circle suppressing her achievements and letting negative narratives run wild was done.—
Emma Burleigh,
Fortune,
6 Nov. 2025
Verb
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DiMarco’s participation became a highlight of the event, with the student asking thoughtful questions about overcoming imposter syndrome and handling rejection.—
Clayton Davis,
Variety,
7 Nov. 2025
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And that religion, like music, can carry the sound of struggle – but also the hope of one day overcoming the injustices and inequalities of everyday life.—
Ken Chitwood,
The Conversation,
5 Nov. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Smothering.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/smothering. Accessed 13 Nov. 2025.
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