stifled; stifling
ˈstī-f(ə-)liŋ 
1
a
: to withhold from circulation or expression
stifled our anger
b
: to cut off (the voice, the breath, etc.)
c
: deter, discourage
: to be or become unable to breathe easily
stifling in the heat
: the joint next above the hock in the hind leg of a quadruped (such as a horse or dog) corresponding to the human knee see horse illustration
Examples of stifle in a Sentence
Verb
trying to stifle a cry
I had to stifle the desire to yell “Stop!”.
Students at the school are stifled by the pressure to score high on tests.
Too many regulations stifle innovation.
something that stifles the growth of the plant
I wish we could go outside instead of stifling in this tiny room.
He was almost stifled by the smoke.
Recent Examples on the Web
Alora Bopray, USA Today, 3 Sep. 2025
Conversely, supply interruptions can stifle progress and inflate costs.
—Sahit Muja, Forbes.com, 3 Sep. 2025
Naltazan grabbed the woman and covered her mouth to stifle her screams, prosecutors said.
—Daniella Segura, Sacbee.com, 3 Sep. 2025
Broader questions about salary and a new contract are claimed to be stifling Stern's return and amping up the speculation about the next phase of his career.
—Nick Mordowanec, MSNBC Newsweek, 3 Sep. 2025
See All Example Sentences for stifle
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Verb
While toxic cultures drain energy and stifle performance, the opposite is also true — positive work environments fuel productivity, collaboration and employee satisfaction.
—Alora Bopray, USA Today, 3 Sep. 2025
Conversely, supply interruptions can stifle progress and inflate costs.
—Sahit Muja, Forbes.com, 3 Sep. 2025
Naltazan grabbed the woman and covered her mouth to stifle her screams, prosecutors said.
—Daniella Segura, Sacbee.com, 3 Sep. 2025
Broader questions about salary and a new contract are claimed to be stifling Stern's return and amping up the speculation about the next phase of his career.
—Nick Mordowanec, MSNBC Newsweek, 3 Sep. 2025
See All Example Sentences for stifle
Cite this Entry
“Stifle.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/stifle. Accessed 9 Sep. 2025.
Copy CitationMedical Definition
stifle
noun
sti·fle
ˈstī-fəl
: the joint next above the hock in the hind leg of a quadruped (as a horse) corresponding to the knee in humans
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