noun

smothering

noun

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

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 notes

In plain EnglishDescribes something so intense or overprotective that it feels stifling.

Common pairings

smothering heat smothering attention

smotherings plural

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The _____ of the small campfire took only a bucket of water.

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