as in suffocating
Related Words
Relevance
Dissimilar Words
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
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to
show current usage.
Read More
Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors.
Send us feedback.
Recent Examples of smothering
Robert Abitbol, USA Today, 28 Mar. 2026
And for only children—who believe that a sibling would mean the end of loneliness or a reduction in unwanted or smothering attention, an ally with whom to weather the storm—the wish to have one may be equally strong.
—Christine Smallwood, Harpers Magazine, 24 Mar. 2026
The spectacle lasted only a few minutes until twilight arrived, smothering everything in an elixir of violet.
—New York Times, 16 Mar. 2026
With a smothering team defense, the Panthers took a 14-6 lead into the second quarter.
—Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 15 Mar. 2026
The series centers on Bode (Max Thieriot), an ex-con who finds redemption and purpose while smothering flames with the Cal Fire program.
—Allison Degrushe, Entertainment Weekly, 27 Feb. 2026
This list includes invasive species that spread across the landscape, smothering everything in their path (like kudzu, of course), as well as fast-growing native species, like trumpet vine and Virginia creeper, which spread quickly and can become a nuisance in yards and gardens.
—Steve Bender, Southern Living, 19 Feb. 2026
Overall, Seattle is hardly ever in base defense, utilizing a smothering hybrid scheme, often employing extra DBs in a big nickel look.
—Hank Gola, New York Daily News, 6 Feb. 2026
The Celtics opened with one of their most dominant quarters of the season, outscoring the Blazers 32-11 through balanced offense and smothering defense.
—Zack Cox, Boston Herald, 27 Jan. 2026
Verb
In the West, a smothering heat dome moved east after almost two weeks of record March temperatures; four spots in Arizona and California hit 112 degrees, and dozens of locations set heat records all the way to Pennsylvania and South Carolina.
—Robert Abitbol, USA Today, 28 Mar. 2026
And for only children—who believe that a sibling would mean the end of loneliness or a reduction in unwanted or smothering attention, an ally with whom to weather the storm—the wish to have one may be equally strong.
—Christine Smallwood, Harpers Magazine, 24 Mar. 2026
The spectacle lasted only a few minutes until twilight arrived, smothering everything in an elixir of violet.
—New York Times, 16 Mar. 2026
With a smothering team defense, the Panthers took a 14-6 lead into the second quarter.
—Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 15 Mar. 2026
The series centers on Bode (Max Thieriot), an ex-con who finds redemption and purpose while smothering flames with the Cal Fire program.
—Allison Degrushe, Entertainment Weekly, 27 Feb. 2026
This list includes invasive species that spread across the landscape, smothering everything in their path (like kudzu, of course), as well as fast-growing native species, like trumpet vine and Virginia creeper, which spread quickly and can become a nuisance in yards and gardens.
—Steve Bender, Southern Living, 19 Feb. 2026
Overall, Seattle is hardly ever in base defense, utilizing a smothering hybrid scheme, often employing extra DBs in a big nickel look.
—Hank Gola, New York Daily News, 6 Feb. 2026
The Celtics opened with one of their most dominant quarters of the season, outscoring the Blazers 32-11 through balanced offense and smothering defense.
—Zack Cox, Boston Herald, 27 Jan. 2026
Recent Examples of Synonyms for smothering
Adjective
-
Georgia will surely be ready and focused on its home floor following two consecutive losses, but Bucky Ball and its suffocating style from a fresh A&M team will be too much for the Bulldogs.—
Tony Catalina,
Austin American Statesman,
30 Jan. 2026
-
Justin Edmonds / Getty Images Darnold, Mike Macdonald and a suffocating defense have led the Seahawks to the big stage for the fourth time in franchise history.—
CBS News,
CBS News,
26 Jan. 2026
Verb
-
In early January 2025, police were called to the Aliquippa VFW when Ours was accused of repeatedly punching and strangling another man, later identified as Preston Coleman.—
Mike Darnay,
CBS News,
17 Mar. 2026
-
Jorge Landeros, 56, was sentenced to 25 years in prison more than a decade after reportedly fatally beating and strangling a 52-year-old American University accounting professor in her Maryland home.—
Arkansas Online,
Arkansas Online,
13 Mar. 2026
Verb
-
There are those, however, who do not see regulation as a stifling force.—
Francesca Cassidy,
Fortune,
31 Mar. 2026
-
From there, the house unfolds via a traditional footprint that somehow feels soft and inviting instead of stifling.—
Miriam Schwartz,
Hartford Courant,
29 Mar. 2026
Verb
-
Just over two minutes later, the Senators tied the game with Batherson burying a rebound in the crease for his second of the game.—
CBS News,
CBS News,
27 Mar. 2026
-
Just enough animation to keep you from giving up and burying the thing in an unmarked grave.—
JD Barker,
Rolling Stone,
25 Mar. 2026
Adjective
-
Unger, who lives in Clearwater, has a reputation for solid stand-alone thrillers that have landed on bestseller lists, with unusual plots and unconventional motives shrouded in dark-but-not-oppressive atmospheres.—
Oline H. Cogdill,
Sun Sentinel,
26 Mar. 2026
-
Brown, who later became a successful commercial novelist, found the movie literally oppressive.—
Literary Hub,
Literary Hub,
25 Mar. 2026
Verb
-
The pair have been in physical altercations in the past, including Manning's 2012 arrest for allegedly punching, scratching, kicking and choking Hartman – whom media outlets have referred to as Manning's former make-up artist and assistant – and slamming her head against the floor and wall.—
Taijuan Moorman,
USA Today,
31 Mar. 2026
-
The man alerted jail deputies that his cellmate, 35-year-old Vincent Chacon, was choking and needed help in the early morning of June 30, according to a probable cause affidavit.—
Lauren Penington,
Denver Post,
30 Mar. 2026
Verb
-
Once the expiry passes, the forces suppressing volatility will recede — leaving macroeconomics and geopolitics firmly back in control.—
Sidhartha Shukla,
Fortune,
26 Mar. 2026
-
The TriForce 40mm drivers deliver a dynamic listening experience with exceptional highs and deep lows, while the detachable HyperClear Cardioid mic ensures your voice is crystal clear by suppressing background noise.—
Juhi Wadia,
PC Magazine,
24 Mar. 2026
Verb
-
Applicants must write an essay that reflects a background of overcoming adversity, such as growing up in a low-income setting or losing a parent.—
Roderick Boone,
Charlotte Observer,
26 Mar. 2026
-
Waring and Woodland are both in the midst of overcoming big obstacles of a different nature.—
ABC News,
ABC News,
26 Mar. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Smothering.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/smothering. Accessed 2 Apr. 2026.
Copy CitationLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
