smother
verb (used with object)
to stifle or suffocate, as by smoke or other means of preventing free breathing.
smothers
-
present tense formof smother (3rd person singular).present tense
Used to describe things happening now or regularly.
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.
But as much as she smothers her desires, others can sense them.
From Los Angeles Times ● Jun. 12, 2026
L.A.’s heat-seeking “Showtime” franchise is obsessed over more than any other, in good times and especially troubled ones, to the point where it smothers other NBA coverage and drives many fans nuts.
From The Wall Street Journal ● Sep. 16, 2025
The soil burns and sloughs off, leading to massive post-fire erosion that smothers coral, impacts fisheries and reduces the quality of the ocean water, she said.
From Seattle Times ● Aug. 10, 2023
Indeed, one can imagine many families might value their child being exposed to a different language at a young age, but this rule smothers this opportunity.
From Washington Post ● Sep. 2, 2022
“The weight of it is enormous, Jule. It smothers me. You’re pushing me to be something to you, and I don’t want to be it.”
From "Genuine Fraud" by E. Lockhart
