smothered

6 definitions • 6 examples

past simple and past participle of

to kill someone by covering their face so that they cannot breathe:

They threatened to smother the animals with plastic bags.

to kill something by covering it and preventing it from receiving the substances and conditions it needs for life:

Snow soon smothered the last of the blooms.

figurative I tried desperately to smother a sneeze (= I tried not to sneeze) during his speech.

to stop a fire from burning by covering it with something that prevents air from reaching it:

I threw a blanket over the stove to smother the flames.

to prevent something from developing or growing freely:

The latest violence has smothered any remaining hopes for an early peace agreement.

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

I think she broke off their engagement because she felt smothered by him.