Smothered: The overall thesis is that small businesses, once …, have been systematically othered, then homogenised

[Bhikkhu1991a]

The overall thesis is that small businesses, once …, have been systematically othered, then homogenised.

(a) anonymous
(b) precarious
(c) ubiquitous
(d) victorious

The overall thesis is that small businesses, once ubiquitous, have been systematically othered, then homogenised.

Correct answer: (c) ubiquitous

Hello,

I could not find “smothered” in the standard dictionaries online, and I am not able to figure out “othered” either. Could you please clarify this word “othered” that is used in the test sentence Question 5?

Thank you.

Best wishes,
Bhikkhu1991a.

[Mister_Micawber]

It’s been too long since I put this test together, Bhikkhu. Perhaps it’s a typo for ‘smothered’?

Difference in meaning: Suffocate, Strangle, Throttle, Smother, Asphyxiate

Difference in meaning: suffocate strangle throttle smother asphyxiate Can you explain to me how the above words differ in meaning? I will appreciate it, if anyone can suggest a book which discusses differences between seemingly synonymous words.