Overwhelm small matriarch (7)

I believe the answer is:

smother

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'overwhelm' is the definition.
(I've seen this in another clue)

'small matriarch' is the wordplay.
'small' becomes 'sm'.
'matriarch' becomes 'other' (I am not sure about this - if you are sure you should believe this answer much more).
'sm'+'other'='SMOTHER'

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(Other definitions for smother that I've seen before include "Extinguish (fire) by covering it" , "Conceal" , "don't give enough freedom" , "Suffocate, stifle" , "Muffle" .)

I've seen this clue in The Times.

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