stifle

²stifle

verb

sti·fledsti·fling\-f(ə-)liŋ\

Definition of STIFLE

transitive verb

1

a : to kill by depriving of oxygen : suffocate b (1) : smother (2) : muffle

2

a : to cut off (as the voice or breath) b : to withhold from circulation or expression <stifled our anger> c : deter, discourage

intransitive verb

: to be or become unable to breathe easily <stifling in the heat>

— sti·fler \-f(ə-)lər\ noun

— sti·fling·ly \-f(ə-)liŋ-lē\ adverb

Examples of STIFLE

1. trying to stifle a cry
2. I had to stifle the desire to yell “Stop!”.
3. Students at the school are stifled by the pressure to score high on tests.
4. Too many regulations stifle innovation.
5. something that stifles the growth of the plant
6. I wish we could go outside instead of stifling in this tiny room.
7. He was almost stifled by the smoke.

Origin of STIFLE

alteration of Middle English stuflen

First Known Use: 1513

Related to STIFLE

Synonyms: choke, smother, strangle, suffocate

Antonyms: unmuffle

Related Words: garrote (or garotte), throttle; asphyxiate; drown; croak [slang], destroy, dispatch, do in, fell, slay

Near Antonyms: breathe, exhale, expire, inhale, inspire; resuscitate, revive

see all synonyms and antonyms

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