1
as in to strangle
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 to stifle
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 to bury
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
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Recent Examples of smother
Josh Dubose, The Hill, 15 Jan. 2025
In 2018, for example, a global dust storm smothered the solar panels on NASA’s Opportunity rover.
—Paul Smaglik, Discover Magazine, 7 Jan. 2025
Jp Mangalindan, Peoplemag, 9 Sep. 2024
By the same token, the public health reforms that eventually helped smother pandemic cholera in Iran a century ago likely hold the key to containing the coronavirus outbreak today.
—Amir A. Afkhami, Foreign Affairs, 2 Mar. 2020
See all Example Sentences for smother 
Verb
Firefighters have jumped on small blazes that popped up, quickly smothering several in Los Angeles county, including a blaze Tuesday evening in the Angeles National Forest.
—Josh Dubose, The Hill, 15 Jan. 2025
In 2018, for example, a global dust storm smothered the solar panels on NASA’s Opportunity rover.
—Paul Smaglik, Discover Magazine, 7 Jan. 2025
Noun
Chase originally envisioned that Tony Soprano’s (James Gandolfini) mother Livia (Nancy Marchand) would die at the end of season 1 by having Tony smother her.
—Jp Mangalindan, Peoplemag, 9 Sep. 2024
By the same token, the public health reforms that eventually helped smother pandemic cholera in Iran a century ago likely hold the key to containing the coronavirus outbreak today.
—Amir A. Afkhami, Foreign Affairs, 2 Mar. 2020
See all Example Sentences for smother
Recent Examples of Synonyms for smother
Verb
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Dobson was strangled with a computer extension cord and smothered with a plastic bag.—
Thomas G. Moukawsher,
Newsweek,
6 Feb. 2025
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Listen to this article A Merrillville man is charged with strangling a pregnant woman, documents allege.—
Meredith Colias-Pete,
Chicago Tribune,
29 Jan. 2025
Verb
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In the 81st minute, Chelsea picked their way through Brighton’s stifling high press.—
Liam Twomey,
The Athletic,
9 Feb. 2025
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Critics argue this is used to stifle criticism of Israeli policies.—
The Editors of ARTnews,
ARTnews.com,
6 Feb. 2025
Verb
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Even stripped of defenses, facilities buried deep underground will be hard to destroy.—
Bloomberg Opinion,
Twin Cities,
8 Feb. 2025
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Boston could be buried by a foot of snow Saturday night and Sunday, which would be more snow than fell all of last winter.—
Mary Gilbert,
CNN,
7 Feb. 2025
Noun
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The tailgate is an opportunity for Eagles fans, who are known for their intense devotion, to eat, drink, reminisce and blow off steam.—
Frank Langfitt,
NPR,
8 Feb. 2025
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Daniel Petroni Photography The wellness area is inspired by the Bulgari hotel with an indoor pool, Himalayan salt room that doubles as a sauna and a steam room.—
Ray Parisi,
CNBC,
7 Feb. 2025
Verb
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Lenin, a 1988 faux Fabergé egg choking on its rhinestones.—
Jackson Arn,
The New Yorker,
10 Feb. 2025
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Per the incident report, Levin’s family members were right upstairs while he was being beaten and choked in the basement.—
Samira Asma-Sadeque,
People.com,
8 Feb. 2025
Verb
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We’ve been conditioned to lead like men, to suppress our intuition, our empathy, and our softness.—
Dr. Brittany Chambers,
Forbes,
7 Feb. 2025
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The censors suppressed or bowdlerized countless works of genius.—
Thomas Chatterton Williams,
The Atlantic,
6 Feb. 2025
Verb
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And Republicans control the Senate 53-47 – which is not a wide enough margin to overcome the 60-vote threshold needed to bypass the filibuster, meaning Republicans will need Democrats to avoid a shutdown.—
Riley Beggin,
USA TODAY,
11 Feb. 2025
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Janis overcomes significant obstacles – embezzlement, record industry misogyny, homophobia, and heartbreak – to find love and produce an indelible body of searingly honest songs that earned her a devoted following and critical acclaim.—
Matthew Carey,
Deadline,
11 Feb. 2025
Noun
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Just days after what seemed like 40 days and 40 nights of Bay Area storms, the clouds have finally given San Francisco a break – just in time for Ayesha Curry’s Sweet July Skin coffee truck pop-up during All-Star Weekend.—
Kimberly Wilson,
Essence,
18 Feb. 2025
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The camp is firmly perched beside a small, spring-fed lake, above billowing clouds and below Mawenzi’s jagged peak.—
Mary Robnett,
Travel + Leisure,
17 Feb. 2025
Thesaurus Entries Near smother
Cite this Entry
“Smother.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/smother. Accessed 21 Feb. 2025.
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