noun
smothering
Smothering (noun) means the act of covering or suppressing something so completely it cannot breathe, grow, or develop. Example: “The smothering of the small campfire took only a bucket of water.”
noun
1
The act of covering or suppressing something so completely it cannot breathe, grow, or develop.
"The smothering of the small campfire took only a bucket of water."
adjective
1
Overwhelming and stifling, especially describing heat, attention, or control.
"The smothering humidity made it hard to sleep."
"Her mother's smothering concern left her no room to make her own decisions."
How to use smothering
Learner’s notesIn plain EnglishDescribes something so intense or overprotective that it feels stifling.
Common pairings
smothering heat
smothering attention
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Word forms
- Plural
- smotherings
Fill the gap
Can you complete this real example?
The _____ of the small campfire took only a bucket of water.
Etymology
Inherited from Middle English smorþering.
Synonyms
View more →Related words
Rhymes for smothering
peering
tapering
lowering
covering
offering
entering
altering
cheering
steering
uttering
ordering
towering
See all rhymes for smothering →
Frequently asked questions
What does “smothering” mean?
The word “smothering” means the act of covering or suppressing something so completely it cannot breathe, grow, or develop. In plain terms, describes something so intense or overprotective that it feels stifling.
How do you use “smothering” in a sentence?
Here is “smothering” used in a sentence: “The smothering of the small campfire took only a bucket of water.”
What part of speech is “smothering”?
Depending on how it is used, “smothering” can be a noun and an adjective.
How many meanings does “smothering” have?
“Smothering” has 2 distinct senses listed in this dictionary. The most common is: the act of covering or suppressing something so completely it cannot breathe, grow, or develop.
