smother

We’ve been able to ruthlessly and mostly successfully smother the group from threatening the U.S. mainland and American interests abroad.

From Slate ● Apr. 21, 2026

Thick layers of dust smother giant grinding and pressing machines, while only a tiny crew of workers transfer the last batch made three weeks ago off snaking assembly lines and into trucks.

From Barron's ● Mar. 29, 2026

The challenge for policymakers, then, is to resist the temptation to smother AI with fear.

From The Wall Street Journal ● Dec. 10, 2025

He compared depression to a “black sludge … threatening to smother every last living part of me.”

From Los Angeles Times ● Jun. 27, 2025

Happiness and terror was both fighting to smother me.

From "The Journey of Little Charlie" by Christopher Paul Curtis

L.A.’s heat-seeking “Showtime” franchise is obsessed over more than any other, in good times and especially troubled ones, to the point where it smothers other NBA coverage and drives many fans nuts.

From The Wall Street Journal ● Sep. 16, 2025

Lipsyte knows that all punk rockers are reverse snobs, who decry conservatory-trained musicians as “smug skill-bullies” and bark sloppy, shambolic rants against … well, even Jack himself isn’t sure, as “irony smothers our politics.”

From Los Angeles Times ● Dec. 1, 2022

Indeed, one can imagine many families might value their child being exposed to a different language at a young age, but this rule smothers this opportunity.

From Washington Post ● Sep. 2, 2022

João Guilherme twitches and groans in recognition when his father lifts him in the air, when his mother smothers him with kisses and when his sisters walk by and drop a smooch on his head.

From New York Times ● Aug. 16, 2022

“The weight of it is enormous, Jule. It smothers me. You’re pushing me to be something to you, and I don’t want to be it.”

From "Genuine Fraud" by E. Lockhart

On the plate, it’s a half pound of Wagyu brisket smothered in pickles and Mornay sauce, all cradled in freshly made pita bread.

From Los Angeles Times ● Jul. 13, 2026

Workers sweated in choking heat and pupils stayed home on Tuesday as an early-summer heatwave smothered much of Europe, sparking health warnings.

From Barron's ● Jun. 23, 2026

They raced to Susman’s home, loaded the computer in her station wagon, smothered the machine in pillows and blankets—and buckled the seat belt.

From The Wall Street Journal ● Jun. 20, 2026

He has added gold trim to the crown molding, smothered the walls with gold-framed artworks and gold-painted embellishments, placed inch-thick gold coasters on the desk, and lined up gold urns on the mantel.

From Slate ● Jun. 11, 2026

His voice was so smothered by the parka that no one could hear him, but Ryan must have remembered.

From "Ralph S. Mouse" by Beverly Cleary

Some species may have acted as fire ladders, helping flames move through the landscape while also crowding out and smothering other vegetation.

From Science Daily ● Jul. 22, 2026

Extra nutrients lead to the growth of algae, smothering seagrass beds, blocking sunlight and depleting the water of oxygen.

From BBC ● May 2, 2026

Earlier this month, the United States voiced unease after Israel bombed fuel depots around Tehran, smothering the city of 10 million people with toxic black smoke.

From Barron's ● Mar. 19, 2026

The Broncos won, 19-3, but both teams were smothering on defense while failing to establish anything close to an offensive rhythm.

From Los Angeles Times ● Jan. 4, 2026

Some expressed concern that an emphasis on rote learning was smothering creative thinking and intellectual risk-taking.

From "Drama High" by Michael Sokolove