smoth·er 
/ˈsmʌðɚ/ verb
smoth·ers; smoth·ered; smoth·er·ing /ˈsmʌðɚ/ verb [+ obj] 1 : to kill (someone) by covering the face so that breathing is not possible
▪ He tried to smother her with a pillow. 2 : to cover (something) in order to keep it from growing or spreading
▪ She smothered the fire with a blanket. — often used figuratively ▪ She smothered her son with love/affection. [=she gave her son a lot of love and affection in a way that prevented him from feeling free to live his own life] 3 : to try to keep (something) from happening : to try to stop doing (something)
▪ I tried to smother [=stifle, suppress] a yawn. 4 : to cover (something or someone) thickly or completely
▪ She smothers her pancakes in/with syrup. [=she puts a lot of syrup on her pancakes] ▪ The potatoes were smothered in gravy. ▪ She smothered him with/in kisses. [=she kissed him many times]
▪ He tried to smother her with a pillow.
▪ She smothered the fire with a blanket. — often used figuratively ▪ She smothered her son with love/affection. [=she gave her son a lot of love and affection in a way that prevented him from feeling free to live his own life]
▪ I tried to smother [=stifle, suppress] a yawn.
▪ She smothers her pancakes in/with syrup. [=she puts a lot of syrup on her pancakes] ▪ The potatoes were smothered in gravy. ▪ She smothered him with/in kisses. [=she kissed him many times]
