smother
verb [ T ] uk/ˈsmʌð.ər/ us/ˈsmʌð.ɚ/
(COVER)
闷死，使窒息
to kill someone by covering their face so that they cannot breathe
They threatened to smother the animals with plastic bags. 他们威胁要用塑料袋把这些动物闷死。
摧残，扼杀
to kill something by covering it and preventing it from receiving the substances and conditions it needs for life
Snow soon smothered the last of the blooms. 不久大雪便扼杀了最后的花朵。
figurative I tried desperately to smother a sneeze (= I tried not to sneeze) during his speech. 他发言的时候，我竭力控制自己不打喷嚏。
把（火）闷熄
to stop a fire from burning by covering it with something that prevents air from reaching it
I threw a blanket over the stove to smother the flames. 我扔过一条毯子盖在灶上，把火闷熄。
(NOT DEVELOP)
抑制；扼杀
to prevent something from developing or growing freely
The latest violence has smothered any remaining hopes for an early peace agreement. 最新的暴力事件扼杀了及早缔结和平协定的仅存希望。
过分关心爱护，溺爱
to give someone too much love and attention so that they do not feel independent or free
I think she broke off their engagement because she felt smothered by him. 我想她解除婚约是因为她感觉他的爱快要让她窒息了。
Phrasal verb
smother something in/with something 用…覆盖
to cover something completely with a substance or objects
She took a slice of chocolate cake and smothered it in cream. 她拿起一块巧克力蛋糕，在上面涂满了奶油。