Smother: meaning, definitions and examples

Used when something is being covered completely, often causing a lack of air or freedom. It can also be used metaphorically to describe overwhelming affection or control.

• The heavy blanket smothered him, making it hard to breathe.
• Her mother's constant attention began to smother her.

Used to describe someone being deprived of air or space, both physically and metaphorically. It can be applied to describe various unpleasant situations or excessive control.

• Plants need space to grow; crowding them can suffocate their roots.
• She felt suffocated by her partner's overprotectiveness.

Used when describing choking someone by compressing their throat. It often has a violent connotation.

• The murderer strangled his victim with a rope.
• Feelings of frustration began to strangle her creativity.

Used in formal contexts to describe the state of losing the ability to breathe due to a lack of oxygen. Often associated with medical or forensic situations.

• The victim was found to have asphyxiated due to carbon monoxide poisoning.
• Children should not play with plastic bags to prevent accidental asphyxiation.

Used when referring to covering someone or something completely to suffocate or extinguish. Also used metaphorically to describe overwhelming affection or control.

• She tried to smother the fire with a blanket.
• He felt his mother's constant attention was starting to smother him.

Used when intentionally putting an end to something such as a feeling, thought, or activity by force or authority.

• The government tried to suppress the protest.
• He had to suppress his urge to laugh during the serious conversation.

Used to describe suppressing or holding back something like a sound, a reaction, or an emotion, often forcefully.

• He tried to stifle a cough during the meeting.
• She found it difficult to stifle her anger.

Used when holding someone or something back physically or emotionally to prevent action or movement.

• The police had to restrain the suspect.
• She had to restrain her laughter.

Use this word when talking about covering something completely in a way that might suffocate or stifle it. Often has a negative connotation.

• The thick smoke smothered the room, making it hard to breathe.
• Her overprotective nature tends to smother her children.

General term used for anything that lies over or around something for protection, concealment, or decoration. Neutral connotation.

• The covering on the couch was made of a soft, durable fabric.
• She put a covering over the dish to keep it warm.

This word is best used when describing something that covers an area uniformly and completely, often for warmth or protection. Neutral connotation.

• A blanket of snow covered the entire town.
• The grass was blanketed with morning dew.

Used when referring to a sheet or thickness of material, especially one of several, that covers a surface. Neutral connotation.

• The cake has several layers of chocolate and cream.
• A thick layer of dust had accumulated on the shelf.