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
intended to stifle dissent
: 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
Literary Hub, 13 May 2026
The data strengthened expectations of a Fed rate hike, which could crimp markets and stifle economic growth.
—Lim Hui Jie, CNBC, 13 May 2026
Betts collected one hit in his five at-bats Monday, striking out with a runner on third in the third inning to stifle one of the Dodgers’ early chances against Giants starter Trevor McDonald.
—Fabian Ardaya, New York Times, 12 May 2026
Birds eat and digest the seeds, then the plant grows in dense stands and blocks sunlight from reaching other young plants, overcrowding or stifling other species.
—Sarah Everett, The Spruce, 11 May 2026
See All Example Sentences for stifle
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Verb
Despite the summer heat, the windows were often closed to keep out horseflies and the long ears of loyalist spies, so the air inside was stifling and pungent.
—Literary Hub, 13 May 2026
The data strengthened expectations of a Fed rate hike, which could crimp markets and stifle economic growth.
—Lim Hui Jie, CNBC, 13 May 2026
Betts collected one hit in his five at-bats Monday, striking out with a runner on third in the third inning to stifle one of the Dodgers’ early chances against Giants starter Trevor McDonald.
—Fabian Ardaya, New York Times, 12 May 2026
Birds eat and digest the seeds, then the plant grows in dense stands and blocks sunlight from reaching other young plants, overcrowding or stifling other species.
—Sarah Everett, The Spruce, 11 May 2026
See All Example Sentences for stifle
Cite this Entry
“Stifle.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/stifle. Accessed 15 May. 2026.
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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