26984 words

smother

10 definitions • 10 examples
1
to kill someone by covering their face so that they cannot breathe:

Examples:

They threatened to smother the animals with plastic bags.
2
to kill something by covering it and preventing it from receiving the substances and conditions it needs for life:

Examples:

Snow soon smothered the last of the blooms.
figurative I tried desperately to smother a sneeze (= I tried not to sneeze) during his speech.
3
to stop a fire from burning by covering it with something that prevents air from reaching it:

Examples:

I threw a blanket over the stove to smother the flames.
4
to prevent something from developing or growing freely:

Examples:

5
to give someone too much love and attention so that they do not feel independent or free:

Examples:

I think she broke off their engagement because she felt smothered by him.
6
to prevent a person or animal from getting oxygen:

Examples:

Several animals were smothered by smoke from the fire.
7
To smother someone is to kill someone by covering the person’s face, making it impossible to breathe.
8
to cover most or all of a surface:

Examples:

The pasta was smothered with a creamy sauce.
9
to stop a fire from burning by covering it with something that prevents air from reaching it:

Examples:

10
to give someone you love too much attention and make the person feel less independent:

Examples:

He felt smothered by her love.

Navigation