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
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
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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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Example Sentences
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Recent Examples of smothering
Matthew Futterman, New York Times, 26 May 2026
The heat in the car is like an aunt who does not stop smothering us.
—Literary Hub, 18 May 2026
The Tigers’ defense was also smothering all game.
—Erik Anderson, Boston Herald, 18 May 2026
There’s probably a smart, chilling film to be made about the terrors of smothering and relentless adoration — one imagines what Rod Serling would have done with something like this — but this isn’t really that film.
—Bilge Ebiri, Vulture, 15 May 2026
More recently, massive desalination plants, which often double as electric power plants, have been dumping hot brine that rapidly sinks, smothering life at the Gulf’s bottom, Riegl says.
—Meghan Bartels, Scientific American, 14 May 2026
Plants grow rapidly in spring, smothering weeds and feeding the soil.
—Kim Toscano, Southern Living, 9 May 2026
Though Edwards and DiVincenzo are their two best 3-point shooters and offensive creators, a revival of the smothering defense that fueled the rally in Game 2 and blowout wins in Games 3 and 4 will be the biggest key to the Timberwolves taking the series.
—ABC News, 29 Apr. 2026
Wallstedt polished off the first Stars' power play by snapping his glove around Mikko Rantanen's shot and smothering Esa Lindell's bad-angle attempt.
—CBS News, 23 Apr. 2026
Verb
Pete Sampras and John McEnroe used their power serves and smothering net games.
—Matthew Futterman, New York Times, 26 May 2026
The heat in the car is like an aunt who does not stop smothering us.
—Literary Hub, 18 May 2026
The Tigers’ defense was also smothering all game.
—Erik Anderson, Boston Herald, 18 May 2026
There’s probably a smart, chilling film to be made about the terrors of smothering and relentless adoration — one imagines what Rod Serling would have done with something like this — but this isn’t really that film.
—Bilge Ebiri, Vulture, 15 May 2026
More recently, massive desalination plants, which often double as electric power plants, have been dumping hot brine that rapidly sinks, smothering life at the Gulf’s bottom, Riegl says.
—Meghan Bartels, Scientific American, 14 May 2026
Plants grow rapidly in spring, smothering weeds and feeding the soil.
—Kim Toscano, Southern Living, 9 May 2026
Though Edwards and DiVincenzo are their two best 3-point shooters and offensive creators, a revival of the smothering defense that fueled the rally in Game 2 and blowout wins in Games 3 and 4 will be the biggest key to the Timberwolves taking the series.
—ABC News, 29 Apr. 2026
Wallstedt polished off the first Stars' power play by snapping his glove around Mikko Rantanen's shot and smothering Esa Lindell's bad-angle attempt.
—CBS News, 23 Apr. 2026
Recent Examples of Synonyms for smothering
Adjective
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Following a first week marked by a suffocating heatwave, relief finally arrived in Paris on Sunday, with temperatures dropping to 21 degrees C (70 F) around midday.—
ABC News,
ABC News,
31 May 2026
-
This matchup features two ascendant young stars in Shai Gilgeous-Alexander and Victor Wembanyama (who finished first and third in MVP voting, respectively), exciting young talent, a legitimate regional rivalry and two suffocating defenses.—
Greg Rosenstein,
NBC news,
18 May 2026
Verb
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Prosecutors declined to file charges and Saenz was later granted a permanent restraining order against that ex-boyfriend, according to court records, after he was convicted of battering and strangling her.—
Shira Moolten,
Sun Sentinel,
4 June 2026
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The Idaho case and many others — including a 2024 dorm room strangling and a 1990 Florida college town serial killer who inspired the Scream franchise — reflect the far-reaching effects of these crimes.—
Corin Cesaric,
PEOPLE,
2 June 2026
Verb
-
How to analyze a poetics of irreverence and improvisation—of life experienced in a perpetual present—without stifling precisely these qualities?—
Joe Dunthorne,
The New York Review of Books,
6 June 2026
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Indiana used a balanced offensive approach and stifling defense to bounce back and improve to 5-4.—
James Boyd,
New York Times,
5 June 2026
Verb
-
Keep the language concrete and avoid burying the point under explanation.—
Tarot.com,
The Orlando Sentinel,
6 June 2026
-
Jacob Scott Bevins, 36, is accused of inflicting forceful trauma on Aiden Bevins, leading to the boy's death before burying him under his residence, KING 5 and KATU reported on Friday, June 5.—
Angel Saunders,
PEOPLE,
6 June 2026
Adjective
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The dialogue is well-crafted, the Southern atmosphere (Atlanta doubling Savannah, with Savannah here and there standing for itself) suitably oppressive.—
Robert Lloyd,
Los Angeles Times,
4 June 2026
-
Dew points above 65 degrees indicate a high level of moisture in the air, making the heat oppressive.—
Kansas City Star,
Kansas City Star,
2 June 2026
Verb
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The man pushed her to the ground and began choking her before the victim fought him off and flagged down a passing driver for help.—
Todd Feurer,
CBS News,
8 June 2026
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Investigators said Mendoza admitted to choking McCree and striking him multiple times with a golf club, FOX 6 reported, citing court records.—
Sophia Compton,
FOXNews.com,
8 June 2026
Verb
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Others at risk are those taking medication to decrease stomach acid levels, those receiving immune-suppressing therapy or anyone who had recent stomach surgery.—
Vanessa Etienne,
PEOPLE,
1 June 2026
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Identifying and naming my jealousy has done far more for me than suppressing it ever did.—
Meehika Barua,
Time,
29 May 2026
Verb
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One lawmaker Lackey’s unofficial bill title wasn’t lost upon was Assemblymember Isaac Bryan, D-Jefferson Park, a lawmaker who has spoken publicly about overcoming systemic barriers in his own life as a Black man and has centered his political career largely on criminal justice reform.—
Andrew Graham
May 28,
Sacbee.com,
28 May 2026
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That’s because the Phillies (29-27) stand as a serious threat in the wild-card races, and overcoming the Dodgers in the West race just isn’t realistic.—
Tom Krasovic,
San Diego Union-Tribune,
28 May 2026
Cite this Entry
“Smothering.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/smothering. Accessed 11 Jun. 2026.
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