smother

Grant used the destruction of railroads and logistical networks, and superior manpower, to smother the Confederacy during his 1864 Wilderness Campaign.

From The Wall Street Journal ● Aug. 18, 2026

Spain’s formidable defense helped it smother a France team that looked invincible before wilting during a 2-0 World Cup semifinal loss Tuesday in Arlington, Texas.

From Los Angeles Times ● Jul. 15, 2026

The advice is to smother your child with at least SPF 30 and four stars, about 30 minutes before you go outside.

From BBC ● Jun. 19, 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

It took almost nothing to smother it, just a few small pats with the black potato pot.

From "Nory Ryan’s Song" by Patricia Reilly Giff

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

Mr. Prigozhin frequently belittled General Gerasimov in his Telegram audio messages, implying that he was an office-bound official of the kind that smothers regular soldiers with bureaucracy.

From New York Times ● Jun. 27, 2023

The surges of emotion are still there, the final comeuppances still rousing, even if the climax itself smothers its most electrifying twist with some predictably ostentatious visual effects.

From Los Angeles Times ● Dec. 8, 2022

Kilduff said the nonprofits are demanding an environmental impact statement in part because of new information on how dredging smothers corals.

From Seattle Times ● Aug. 16, 2022

The mustached man smothers Sasha’s flaming skirt with his coat while the balding man stamps out the burning tatters that flame around them.

From "The 57 Bus" by Dashka Slater

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

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

The Fire defense smothered her, and while Erica Wheeler and Ogwumike made some shots early, the Sparks mostly didn’t make Portland pay for doubling up their star.

From Los Angeles Times ● Jun. 8, 2026

She whipped out her ranch and smothered her face and neck.

From The Wall Street Journal ● May 29, 2026

When the news of his return reached her, Amaranta had been smothered by anxiety.

From "One Hundred Years of Solitude" by Gabriel Garcia Marquez

Critics fear deep-sea mining will cause irreversible damage, smothering marine life in plumes of waste and disrupting oceanic migrations with the thrum of heavy machinery.

From Barron's ● Aug. 6, 2026

I had to see Fanning in a half-dozen better roles before she felt free of Refn’s smothering gaze.

From Los Angeles Times ● Jul. 23, 2026

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

The blaze at Jatiwaringin landfill, on the outskirts of the capital Jakarta, has spread across more than 15 hectares, smothering the area in thick, toxic smoke and displacing hundreds of local residents.

From BBC ● Jul. 8, 2026

I open my mouth to thank him for protecting me, but Hammie hurls herself at me, smothering me and Roshan in a hug.

From "Warcross" by Marie Lu