half-smothered

She closed her ears to the half-smothered, grunting sounds of pain that came from him.

Western Man Janet Dailey 2011

She closed her ears to the half-smothered, grunting sounds of pain that came from him.

Western Man Janet Dailey 2011

Most arrivals streamed next door toward the Metro: oilmen from the Urals, businessmen from Kazan, a ballet troupe returning home, day trippers with caviar to trade, families with small children and huge suitcases, commuters and budget tourists following a dim path of half-smothered streetlamps.

Stalin's Ghost Smith, Martin Cruz, 1942- 2007

That is why we are not, perhaps, completely taken by surprise when, on the final page of this chapter, Guillory offers us a half-smothered confession of impotence, telling us "how nearly impossible it is to imagine what lies beyond the rhetoricism of literary theory, and hence beyond the problematic of literariness" (265).

Professing Literature: John Guillory's Misreading of Paul de Man 2005

“I was coming on to you,” she said as distinctly as she could in the half-smothered state of her face against his.

The Woodlanders 2006

Adam was wise enough to choose a compact Provence rose that peeped out half-smothered by its flaunting scentless neighbours, and held it in his hand — he thought he should be more at ease holding something in his hand — as he walked on to the far end of the garden, where he remembered there was the largest row of currant-trees, not far off from the great yew-tree arbour.

Adam Bede 2004

Two burly figures were struggling with the thin woman; a half-smothered scream reached them.

The Ideal Bride Laurens, Stephanie 2004

There came first a half-smothered oath and then a sob, and he walked about the room, and struck the table with his fist, and rubbed his bald head impatiently with his hand.

He Knew He Was Right 2004

‘Oh, mamma,’ she said, with a half-smothered voice, ‘I know what you mean; I know what you wish; but — but — but, oh, mamma, you must not — must not, must not think of it any more.’

The Three Clerks 2004

A half-smothered groan came from his throat as he bent his head toward her.

The Second Time Janet Dailey 2003