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Meaning of smother
The primary meaning of the word "smother" is to suffocate or stifle something or someone, often by covering or overwhelming it.
Etymology of smother
The word "smother" has its roots in Old English and Middle English, where it was spelled "smorian" or "smorien", which meant "to suffocate" or "to stifle".
The word is derived from the Old English words "smor" meaning "smoke" or "fume" and the suffix "-ian" or "-ien" which formed a verb.
Historically, the word "smother" was used to describe the act of suffocating or stifling someone or something, often by covering their nose and mouth or by overwhelming them with a strong emotion or sensation.
Synonyms
Definitions
- To suffocate or stifle someone or something, typically by covering their nose and mouth or by overwhelming them with a strong emotion or sensation.
- To suppress or conceal a feeling, emotion, or fact, often by covering it up or hiding it from view.
- To extinguish or put out a fire, often by covering it with a non-porous material or by depriving it of oxygen.
Usage Examples
- The fire was smothered by the firefighters using a fire blanket.
- She felt smothered by the attention from the media and decided to take a break.
- The baby was smothered by the soft toys and blankets in the crib.
- The new policy smothered the creativity of the employees by imposing strict rules and guidelines.
- The city was smothered in a thick layer of fog, making it difficult to navigate.