smother
verb (used with object)
to stifle or suffocate, as by smoke or other means of preventing free breathing.
smothered
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past participleof smother.past participle
A verb form used in perfect and passive verb constructions and that can also function as a modifier.
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past tense formof smother.past tense
Used to describe completed actions or previous habitual actions.
smotherverb (used with object)to stifle or suffocate, as by smoke or other means of preventing free breathing.
Example Sentences
Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.
Workers sweated in choking heat and pupils stayed home on Tuesday as an early-summer heatwave smothered much of Europe, sparking health warnings.
From Barron's ● Jun. 23, 2026
McTominay hit the side-netting, Dykes headed over, McTominay had a shot smothered.
From BBC ● Jun. 20, 2026
He has added gold trim to the crown molding, smothered the walls with gold-framed artworks and gold-painted embellishments, placed inch-thick gold coasters on the desk, and lined up gold urns on the mantel.
From Slate ● Jun. 11, 2026
Meaning: Do you want your dish smothered in sauce made from roasted green chiles, or a simmered counterpart fashioned from dried red chile pods?
From Los Angeles Times ● May 12, 2026
The Eberhardts practically smothered their son with a tandem hug.
From "Hoot" by Carl Hiaasen
