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
Abby Pender, Charlotte Observer, 12 June 2025
Real Madrid’s new era under Xabi Alonso began with a 1-1 draw against Al Hilal, the teams’ Club World Cup opener played out in stifling heat in Miami.
—Mario Cortegana, New York Times, 19 June 2025
The Office for Students said Thursday that freedom of speech and academic freedom are crucial to higher education, so the guidelines are designed to ensure that universities don’t stifle any form of legal speech on their campuses or in their classrooms.
—Danica Kirka, Los Angeles Times, 19 June 2025
High humidity will make conditions more stifling for tens of millions of people.
—Kenton Gewecke, ABC News, 18 June 2025
See All Example Sentences for stifle
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Verb
Meanwhile, Trump sent 700 Marines Tuesday to help National Guard troops stifle protest violence and damage, according to the Los Angeles Times.
—Abby Pender, Charlotte Observer, 12 June 2025
Real Madrid’s new era under Xabi Alonso began with a 1-1 draw against Al Hilal, the teams’ Club World Cup opener played out in stifling heat in Miami.
—Mario Cortegana, New York Times, 19 June 2025
The Office for Students said Thursday that freedom of speech and academic freedom are crucial to higher education, so the guidelines are designed to ensure that universities don’t stifle any form of legal speech on their campuses or in their classrooms.
—Danica Kirka, Los Angeles Times, 19 June 2025
High humidity will make conditions more stifling for tens of millions of people.
—Kenton Gewecke, ABC News, 18 June 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 3 Jul. 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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