smother
/ˈsmʌðər/
verb
- To kill someone by covering their face so that they cannot breathe.
- The villain tried to smother the hero with a pillow.
- In the old story, the king was smothered in his sleep.
- It is a terrible crime to smother another person.
- To cover something completely so that air cannot reach it, often causing it to stop burning or to die.
- The thick blanket of snow smothered the grass underneath.
- Use sand to smother the campfire before leaving.
- She used a wet cloth to smother the small flame.
- To give someone too much love, attention, or protection, making them feel trapped.
- She didn't want to smother her new puppy with too much attention.
- Sometimes love can smother a relationship if there is no space.
- He felt smothered by his parents' constant worrying.
- To prevent something from developing, growing, or being expressed.
- The strict rules smothered any creativity in the classroom.
- The government tried to smother the protest by banning public meetings.
- Fear can smother your dreams if you let it.