smother
verb (used with object)
to stifle or suffocate, as by smoke or other means of preventing free breathing.
was smothering
-
past progressiveof smother.past progressive
Used to describe an ongoing action or continuous state that was happening at a specific time in the past.
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.
A massive front of hot air from North Africa was smothering western Europe, Sebastien Leas, a forecaster at France's weather service Meteo-France, told AFP.
From Barron's ● Jun. 23, 2026
Georgia had stomped everything in its path behind a defense that was smothering opponents at an historically stingy pace before Bryce Young and the Tide picked the Bulldogs apart 41-24 in Atlanta.
From Seattle Times ● Jan. 9, 2022
San Francisco’s pass catchers — George Kittle, Deebo Samuel and Brandon Aiyuk — are finally healthy and rolling, and the defense was smothering.
From Los Angeles Times ● Nov. 16, 2021
Then we woke up with its thick, hot smoke upon us and realized it was smothering our lives.
From Salon ● Sep. 12, 2020
Some expressed concern that an emphasis on rote learning was smothering creative thinking and intellectual risk-taking.
From "Drama High" by Michael Sokolove
