burke
word
Definition
To burke someone means to kill them by suffocation, especially by covering the mouth and nose. It can also mean to quietly suppress or avoid something, such as a question, discussion, or investigation.
Usage & Nuances
This is a rare and literary verb, not common in everyday speech. In modern use, the figurative sense appears more often in formal writing: 'burke an inquiry' or 'burke the issue'. Do not confuse it with neutral verbs like 'avoid' or 'ignore'; it suggests deliberate suppression.
Example Sentences
The attacker tried to burke the old man with a cloth.
basic
They could not burke the police investigation.
basic
She tried to burke the question and change the topic.
basic
You can't just burke the issue and hope people forget about it.
natural
The report suggests officials burked complaints for years.
natural
It felt like the meeting was designed to burke any real debate.
natural