stifle

stifle

verb

Definition of STIFLE

1

to be or cause to be killed by lack of breathable air <unfortunately, the robbers were stifled when they got trapped in the airless bank vault>

Synonyms choke, stifle, strangle, suffocate

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

2

to refrain from openly showing or uttering <stifled a yawn>

Synonyms choke (back), hold back, pocket, repress, sink, smother, stifle, strangle, submerge, swallow

Related Words control, govern, manage; bridle, check, curb, quash, quell; bottle up, contain; muffle, squelch

Near Antonyms express, loose, release, take out, unleash, vent

3

to deaden the sound of <he stifled a cough with his hand>

Synonyms mute, stifle

Related Words insulate, soundproof; pad; dampen, mellow, soften, subdue, tone (down); baffle; smother

Near Antonyms amplify, boost, deepen, enhance, heighten, increase, magnify, step up, strengthen

Antonyms unmuffle