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Antonyms for smothering

Grammar : Verb
Spell : smuhth -er
Phonetic Transcription : ˈsmʌð ər


Definition of smothering

Origin :
  • c.1200, "to suffocate with smoke," from smother (n.), earlier smorthre "dense, suffocating smoke" (late 12c.), from stem of Old English smorian "to suffocate, choke, strangle, stifle," cognate with Middle Dutch smoren, German schmoren; possibly connected to smolder. Meaning "to kill by suffocation in any manner" is from 1540s; sense of "to extinguish a fire" is from 1590s. Sense of "stifle, repress" is first recorded 1570s; meaning "to cover thickly (with some substance)" is from 1590s. Related: Smothered; smothering.
  • verb extinguish; cover, hide
Example sentences :
  • "We'll run for Peel this morning, boys," said Pete, smothering his voice in a mouthful.
  • Extract from : « The Manxman » by Hall Caine
  • The smothering canopy was then lowered, but not so noiselessly as I had seen it lowered.
  • Extract from : « Masterpieces of Mystery » by Various
  • He thought, on this, that he might be smothering her; and he relaxed his hold to allow her to breathe.
  • Extract from : « The Wild Geese » by Stanley John Weyman
  • He was choking, smothering—smothering with shame, hopelessness, despair.
  • Extract from : « Garrison's Finish » by W. B. M. Ferguson
  • She sprawled back, resignedly, in her chair, smothering a yawn.
  • Extract from : « Highacres » by Jane Abbott
  • But a great sea and a smothering blast of wind distracted him.
  • Extract from : « Billy Topsail & Company » by Norman Duncan
  • The shells ploughed the ground around them, smothering them with dirt.
  • Extract from : « The Idler Magazine, Volume III, April 1893 » by Various
  • But she was too loyal for that, and smothering a sigh she retreated into the house.
  • Extract from : « Midnight In Beauchamp Row » by Anna Katharine Green (Mrs. Charles Rohlfs)
  • Mr. Edwards, smothering a sigh of relief, glanced at the weather.
  • Extract from : « Left End Edwards » by Ralph Henry Barbour
  • The Tract Society (she is its guest) is smothering her with its attentions.
  • Extract from : « An Outcast » by F. Colburn Adams

Synonyms for smothering

Based on : Thesaurus.com - Gutenberg.org - Dictionary.com - Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2019