1. to suppress or prevent (something) from being known or discussed; to stifle or smother
Usage: often used in political or journalistic contexts; derived from William Burke, 18th-century criminal
2. to murder by suffocation or asphyxiation
Usage: archaic; historical

Examples

• The government burked the investigation into the scandal.
• Critics accused the media of burking the story to protect powerful interests.
• The committee burked the controversial proposal before it could reach the floor.
• Attempts to burke the truth ultimately failed when whistleblowers came forward.
• The administration tried to burke the report by classifying it.
• She refused to be burked into silence about workplace misconduct.