smothered 1 of 2

smothered

2 of 2

verb

past tense of smother
1
as in strangled
to be or cause to be killed by lack of breathable air children should never play inside discarded appliances because they could become trapped and smother

Synonyms & Similar Words

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

2
3

Example Sentences

Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
Recent Examples of smothered
Adjective
Outside of smothered biscuit sandwiches, District Biskuits also sells mac and cheese, chicken tenders with various dipping sauces, waffle fries and other sides. — Katelyn Umholtz, Kansas City Star, 27 May 2026 Breakfast is a treat, with made-from-scratch English muffins and housemade jams, plus heartier items like a smothered breakfast burrito. — Condé Nast, Condé Nast Traveler, 23 Apr. 2026 Otherwise, Rhoda picks the red rice; Laurence and Oscar pick the hoppin’ John; Anthony and Brittany pick collard greens; Duyen and Brandon pick the smothered cabbage; Justin and Sherry pick potato salad; and Jonathan and Jennifer pick the hoecakes. — Roxana Hadadi, Vulture, 31 Mar. 2026 Robust, malty, and melt-in-your-mouth tender, this smothered cabbage recipe will warm your soul and delight your tastebuds. — Pableaux Johnson, Southern Living, 25 Nov. 2025 The smothered steak biscuit is available to order in-store and online through January 2026, a Bojangles spokesperson told CharlotteFive. — Tanasia Kenney, Charlotte Observer, 7 Nov. 2025
Verb
The customary counter and high chairs that once held pecan waffles and smothered hash browns have been replaced with a long bodega-style service counter. — Sheeka Sanahori, Bon Appetit Magazine, 5 Oct. 2026 Noah Kim threw two touchdown passes and the Eastern Michigan defense smothered Lindenwood to help post a 29-3 win on Saturday. — CBS News, 26 Sep. 2026 One holdover from the previous establishment is Nettie’s lasagna ($33), a robust slab of bechamel and noodles smothered in cheese — pure comfort food. — Sean Timberlake, Sacbee.com, 25 Sep. 2026 The 10-ounce Kansas City strip steak comes smothered in steak butter for $40. — Katelyn Umholtz, Kansas City Star, 25 Sep. 2026 My life was tied up in electric razor-wire fences and smothered in concrete. — Literary Hub, 9 Sep. 2026 One jumper is famous for having smothered miles of flames with his jacket; in Alaska, jumpers have used spruce boughs and burlap bags filled with moss. — M. R. O’Connor, New Yorker, 31 Aug. 2026 When the restaurant itself opens, diners can also expect to see Giancarlo’s take on his grandmother’s spaghetti & blue crab, smothered in Sunday gravy and spaghetti tossed in the same sauce, topped with fresh basil. — Heidi Finley, Charlotte Observer, 28 Aug. 2026 Open for breakfast and lunch, the eatery sticks largely to the classics—think omelets, pancakes, eggs Benedict, and plenty of biscuits, best enjoyed smothered in gravy, of course. — Lauren Dana Ellman, Travel + Leisure, 27 Aug. 2026
Recent Examples of Synonyms for smothered
Adjective
  • The western island of South Sumatra also battled fires, with more than 1,700 hot spots detected on Sunday, causing a choked haze cloud and reducing visibility to only 10 meters (33 feet) in some areas, the ministry said.
    — ABC News, ABC News, 23 Aug. 2026
  • However, that deal fell apart after the US unleashed a fresh wave of attacks on Iran in mid-July, following Iranian strikes on vessels in the choked Strait of Hormuz.
    — Billy Stockwell, CNN Money, 24 July 2026
Adjective
  • Instead of the pops of yellow included in the original design, Stone’s NYFF look went with muted grays and beiges.
    — Julia Teti, Footwear News, 8 Oct. 2026
  • With the crowd on its feet still hoping for a comeback, pinch-hitter Gavin Sheets struck out to end it and the Brewers had a muted celebration on the field.
    — ABC News, ABC News, 8 Oct. 2026
Verb
  • In the first assault, Escudero locked a 16-year-old coworker in his car, then strangled, struck and raped her, according to the release.
    — Harllie Stevenson, Idaho Statesman, 25 Sep. 2026
  • While on the phone with 911, Patrick entered the home and found that Lindsay had strangled the children.
    — Liam Quinn, PEOPLE, 20 Sep. 2026
Verb
  • While Odebunmi was producing for Cleveland, the Cavaliers largely stifled Birmingham’s top offensive threat, wide receiver Paul Turner.
    — Joel Beers, Los Angeles Times, 3 Oct. 2026
  • The Falcons dominated the second half with their offense, and the defense stifled the Packers and quarterback Jordan Love.
    — Rod Beard, AJC.com, 25 Sep. 2026
Verb
  • James made a nifty behind-the-back pass to Edgecombe (who missed a corner 3) and even squared up and buried a long 3 from about Caitlin Clark range.
    — ABC News, ABC News, 3 Oct. 2026
  • The difference is buried in management time, attention, optionality and operating friction.
    — George Wells, Forbes.com, 2 Oct. 2026
Adjective
  • By the time volunteer firefighters from nearby Cachagua arrived, McCord estimated that the fire was about 70% extinguished.
    — Lucy Hodgman, San Francisco Chronicle, 27 Mar. 2026
  • That conditional pick, acquired in August’s salary dump of Haywood Highsmith, effectively has become extinguished.
    — Ira Winderman, Sun Sentinel, 10 Mar. 2026
Adjective
  • Most franchise advertising does not fail because the brand is weak or the market is dry.
    — Jonathan Durante, Forbes.com, 5 Oct. 2026
  • Historically, midterm years see weaker returns, but better times await the following year , especially if there is gridlock from a divided Congress.
    — Jim Cramer, CNBC, 4 Oct. 2026
Verb
  • In all, the Dodgers drowned out that horrible tomahawk chop with some mighty hacks of their own, winning 3-1 while finally displaying some of the desperation that had been missing.
    — Los Angeles Times, Los Angeles Times, 7 Oct. 2026
  • According to the civil action, E’Mari disappeared below the water surface within a crowd and drowned in shallow water.
    — Justin Muszynski, Hartford Courant, 2 Oct. 2026

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Cite this Entry

“Smothered.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/smothered. Accessed 10 Oct. 2026.

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