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]
She 'smothers' her pancakes in/with syrup. [=she puts a lot of syrup on her pancakes]
She 'smothered' him with/in kisses. [=she kissed him many times]
(..) It doesn't look so bad. It's gonna stink. I liked my old school. Mom! My flowers are dying! I told you not to smother them like that. We'll put them in water when we get to our new home. I fiinally get a bouquet, and it's a goodbye present. That's depressing. (..)2001 Spirited Away