Smothering: meaning, definitions and examples
๐ท
smothering
[หsmสรฐษrษชล ]
Definitions
feeling
To suffocate or stifle someone or something by covering them completely.
Synonyms
Which Synonym Should You Choose?
| Word | Description / Examples |
|---|---|
| suffocate |
When someone or something can't breathe due to lack of air or being tightly closed in. It often has a negative connotation and can be used metaphorically.
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| stifle |
When something is being suppressed or held back, often regarding emotion, creativity, or freedom. It can also refer to making someone unable to breathe easily.
|
| choke |
When something is stuck in the throat and air cannot pass, or feeling severe difficulty in breathing. It can also refer to someone failing under pressure.
|
Examples of usage
- She felt like the responsibilities of work were smothering her.
- The smoke from the fire was smothering the room.
emotion
To cover or suppress a feeling or emotion.
Synonyms
Which Synonym Should You Choose?
| Word | Description / Examples |
|---|---|
| smothering |
Use 'smothering' when describing covering something completely to prevent it from breathing or growing. It often has a negative connotation.
|
| suppress |
Use 'suppress' when describing the act of forcefully stopping something from happening or being expressed, such as emotions, actions, or information. It can have a negative connotation.
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| conceal |
Use 'conceal' when you want to describe hiding something from view or keeping it secret. It is often neutral but can have a negative connotation depending on context.
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| restrain |
Use 'restrain' when referring to holding back or keeping someone or something under control, physically or emotionally.
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Examples of usage
- She tried to smother her anger and remain calm.
- He smothered his excitement to keep a poker face.
food
A thick sauce or gravy served over food.
Synonyms
Which Synonym Should You Choose?
| Word | Description / Examples |
|---|---|
| smothering |
Refers to covering something entirely, often used in cooking to describe a dish heavily covered in a substance like sauce or cheese. Can also imply a sense of excessive or overwhelming love or attention.
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| sauce |
A liquid or semi-liquid substance served with food to add flavor. Can be sweet or savory and is used across various cuisines.
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| gravy |
A thick, rich sauce made from meat juices, often served with meat and potatoes. Commonly used in comfort food and traditional dishes.
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| topping |
An ingredient or mixture placed on top of a dish to enhance its flavor or appearance. Used in a variety of dishes from desserts to pizzas.
|
Examples of usage
- The meatloaf was covered in a delicious smothering of gravy.
- The mashed potatoes were drowning in smothering of cheese sauce.
Interesting Facts
Psychology
- Excessive care or attention can create feelings of suffocation in relationships, leading to anxiety and stress.
- Boundaries are important; 'smothering' can harm relationships by making one person feel trapped.
- The term can describe both physical and emotional suffocation, highlighting the need for balance in closeness.
Literature
- In many novels, characters may feel smothered by societal expectations, reflecting personal struggles.
- Poets often use imagery of smothering to convey deep emotional turmoil, representing overwhelming feelings of love or despair.
- Classic plays sometimes feature characters who smother their loved ones with jealousy, creating dramatic tension.
Pop Culture
- Songs often explore themes of smothering in relationships, portraying love that becomes overpowering.
- Movies occasionally depict characters who smother their friends or partners, leading to comedic or tragic consequences.
- Television dramas frequently showcase how smothering can cause conflict in family dynamics, especially in parent-child relationships.
Health
- Smothering can be a metaphor used in therapy, describing environments that hinder personal growth.
- Certain conditions, like anxiety disorders, can be exacerbated by smothering relationships, where one partner is overly protective.
- Understanding 'smothering' helps recognize the signs of unhealthy emotional dynamics and encourages healthier interactions.
Historical Context
- Historically, the idea of smothering has been linked to oppressive regimes, where individuals feel suffocated by rules and regulation.
- In the past, certain cultures viewed overprotectiveness as a virtue, yet it sometimes led to generational conflicts.
- Literature from various periods often reflects the societal norms around relationships, with smothering being a recurring theme in discussions about love and control.
Translations
Translations of the word "smothering" in other languages:
๐ต๐น sufocante
๐ฎ๐ณ เคฆเคฌเคพเคจเคพ
๐ฉ๐ช ersticken
๐ฎ๐ฉ mencekik
๐บ๐ฆ ะทะฐะดััะปะธะฒะธะน
๐ต๐ฑ duszony
๐ฏ๐ต ็ชๆฏใใใ
๐ซ๐ท รฉtouffant
๐ช๐ธ sofocante
๐น๐ท boฤucu
๐ฐ๐ท ์ง์ํ๋
๐ธ๐ฆ ุฎุงูู
๐จ๐ฟ dusรญcรญ
๐ธ๐ฐ dusivรฝ
๐จ๐ณ ็ชๆฏ็
๐ธ๐ฎ zaduลกljiv
๐ฎ๐ธ kvรถlun
๐ฐ๐ฟ ัาฑะฝััาัััััั
๐ฌ๐ช แแแฎแ แฉแแแ
๐ฆ๐ฟ sฤฑxฤฑcฤฑ
๐ฒ๐ฝ sofocante