Smother (Verb)
Meaning 1
Form an impenetrable cover over; "the butter cream smothered the cake".
Classification
Verbs of being, having, spatial relations.
Hypernyms
Meaning 2
Deprive of the oxygen necessary for combustion; "smother fires".
Classification
Verbs of touching, hitting, tying, digging.
Examples
- The fire department used a special technique to smother the flames and prevent them from spreading.
- To smother the fire, they covered the flames with a heat-resistant blanket.
- In the event of a grease fire, do not use water to try to smother the flames.
- The firefighters attempted to smother the blaze by depriving it of oxygen.
- Using a fire extinguisher can help to smother fires that are not too large.
Synonyms
Hypernyms
Meaning 3
Envelop completely; "smother the meat in gravy".
Classification
Verbs of touching, hitting, tying, digging.
Examples
- The heavy fog started to smother the entire city in a damp mist.
- She smothered the turkey in rich, homemade gravy before serving.
- The thick forest fire smoke began to smother the nearby village.
- You have to smother the baking potato in a generous helping of butter.
- The loud laughter in the crowded bar started to smother all other sounds.
Synonyms
Meaning 4
Deprive of oxygen and prevent from breathing; "Othello smothered Desdemona with a pillow"; "The child suffocated herself with a plastic bag that the parents had left on the floor".
Classification
Verbs of touching, hitting, tying, digging.