stifle

verb sti·fle \ ˈstī-fəl \

|Updated on: 7 Aug 2018

Examples: stifle in a Sentence

Definition of stifle

stifled; stifling play \ˈstī-f(ə-)liŋ\

transitive verb

1 a : to withhold from circulation or expression

stifled our anger

b : to cut off (the voice, the breath, etc.)

c : deter, discourage

2 a (1) : muffle

(2) : smother

b : to kill by depriving of oxygen : suffocate

intransitive verb

: to be or become unable to breathe easily

stifling in the heat

—

stifler

play \ˈstī-f(ə-)lər\ noun

—

stiflingly

play \ˈstī-f(ə-)liŋ-lē\ adverb

See stifle defined for English-language learners

See stifle defined for kids

Examples of stifle in a Sentence

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 of stifle from the Web

The McAdams case favors job protections because conservatives believe their viewpoints are being stifled on college campuses.

— bruce vielmetti, Milwaukee Journal Sentinel, "Wisconsin Supreme Court sides with Marquette professor John McAdams in free speech case, orders university to reinstate him," 6 July 2018
Many in the business community and the GOP have welcomed the EPA’s direction in the Trump era, after maintaining that the agency under President Barack Obama was excessive in its regulatory regimen and stifled business.

— heidi vogt, WSJ, "Acting EPA Chief Plans to Stick With Trump’s Priorities," 6 July 2018
The 45-year-old right-hander pitched a gem Friday night but the Rangers' offense was stifled by Tigers right-hander Jordan Zimmermann as Detroit evened the series with a 3-1 win at Comerica Park.

— stefan stevenson, star-telegram, "Zimmermann outduels Colon to delay Latin wins record," 6 July 2018
New Prime Minister Mahathir Mohamad reopened investigations into 1MDB that were stifled under Najib's rule.

— NBC News, "Former Malaysian PM Najib Razak charged after multibillion dollar graft scandal," 4 July 2018
The new government has reopened investigations into 1MDB that were stifled under Najib's rule.

— eileen ng, The Christian Science Monitor, "Former Malaysian leader arrested for theft, money laundering," 3 July 2018
At the same time, Green has an invaluable ally in head coach Steve Kerr, who wouldn’t think of trying to stifle the power forward’s basic nature.

— bruce jenkins, San Francisco Chronicle, "Draymond Green’s season review: The Preacher spread Warriors’ gospel," 13 June 2018
What is known is that Jack Johnson is one of the greatest boxers of all time and the government’s insistence on taking down a black hero hasn’t been stifled by history.

— panama jackson, The Root, "Trump Considers 'Full Pardon' of Boxer Jack Johnson After Sylvester Stallone Phone Call. Call Him Again, Sly," 22 Apr. 2018
The stigma is part of a creeping puritanism that has stifled the arts in Egypt in recent decades.

— declan walsh, New York Times, "Foreign Belly Dancers? Egyptians Shake Their Heads (and Hips)," 8 July 2018

These example sentences are selected automatically from various online news sources to reflect current usage of the word 'stifle.' Views expressed in the examples do not represent the opinion of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.

Origin and Etymology of stifle

alteration of Middle English stuflen

NEW! Time Traveler

First Known Use: 1513

in the meaning defined at transitive sense 2b

See Words from the same year

stifle Synonyms

stifle

noun

Definition of stifle

: 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

Recent Examples of stifle from the Web

The government did not appear to prove its case that a bulked-up AT&T would harm consumers and stifle competition.

— brooks barnes, New York Times, "As Disney Moves Forward With Fox, Comcast Continues Plotting," 20 May 2018
Clyde the Belgian came to Hay Burr Inn with a stifle injury.

— denise coffey, Courant Community, "Working Small Miracles At Hay Burr Inn Equine Rescue," 19 Sep. 2017
The company created what is called a stifle brace for Fievel, a black Lab mix who suffers from a painful torn ACL.

— stacey delikat, Fox News, "Prosthetic limbs offering pets a new 'leash' on life," 3 July 2017

Origin and Etymology of stifle

Middle English

NEW! Time Traveler

First Known Use: 14th century

in the meaning defined above

See Words from the same year

STIFLE Defined for English Language Learners

stifle

verb

Definition of stifle for English Language Learners

: to not allow yourself to do or express (something)
: to stop (someone) from doing or expressing something
: to make (something) difficult or impossible

STIFLE Defined for Kids

stifle

verb sti·fle \ ˈstī-fəl \

Definition of stifle for Students

stifled; stifling

1 : to cause or have difficulty in breathing

The room was hot and stifling.

2 : to keep in check by effort

I had to stifle a laugh.

Medical Dictionary

stifle

noun sti·fle \ ˈstī-fəl \

medical Definition of stifle

: the joint next above the hock in the hind leg of a quadruped (as a horse) corresponding to the knee in humans

Illustration of stifle

Learn More about stifle

See words that rhyme with stifle Thesaurus: All synonyms and antonyms for stifle Spanish Central: Translation of stifle Nglish: Translation of stifle for Spanish speakers Britannica English: Translation of stifle for Arabic speakers

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stifle

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stifler

stiflingly

Examples of stifle in a Sentence

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Synonyms

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stifle

Definition of stifle

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Origin and Etymology of stifle

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STIFLE Defined for English Language Learners

stifle

Definition of stifle for English Language Learners

STIFLE Defined for Kids

stifle

Definition of stifle for Students

Medical Dictionary

stifle

medical Definition of stifle

Illustration of stifle

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