smothering

Definitions

The act of killing someone by covering their nose and mouth to prevent breathing.

The act of stifling or suppressing something, such as a fire or an emotion.

The act of showing someone excessive affection or attention in a way that feels restrictive.

Examples

The thick blanket was smothering the small fire in the fireplace.

She felt like her mother's constant attention was smothering her independence.

The chef finished the dish by smothering the steak in a rich mushroom sauce.

Synonyms

suffocating stifling choking strangling repressing suppressing overbearing

Antonyms

liberating encouraging releasing ventilating freeing nurturing supporting