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
Aramide Tinubu, Variety, 29 Oct. 2025
But local rules designed to preserve neighborhoods now stifle housing development, reformers say.
—Nathaniel Meyersohn, CNN Money, 28 Oct. 2025
Moving guys on and off the field delayed Dowdle’s impact and stifled Hubbard’s opportunity for beat-by-beat momentum.
—Diamond Vences, Charlotte Observer, 26 Oct. 2025
The objection was to stay compact in central areas, as well as stifling any passes into Gravenberch, who is crucial to Liverpool’s early build-up.
—The Athletic Uk Staff, New York Times, 25 Oct. 2025
See All Example Sentences for stifle
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Verb
While some dreams are realized, others are stifled or pushed aside altogether.
—Aramide Tinubu, Variety, 29 Oct. 2025
But local rules designed to preserve neighborhoods now stifle housing development, reformers say.
—Nathaniel Meyersohn, CNN Money, 28 Oct. 2025
Moving guys on and off the field delayed Dowdle’s impact and stifled Hubbard’s opportunity for beat-by-beat momentum.
—Diamond Vences, Charlotte Observer, 26 Oct. 2025
The objection was to stay compact in central areas, as well as stifling any passes into Gravenberch, who is crucial to Liverpool’s early build-up.
—The Athletic Uk Staff, New York Times, 25 Oct. 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 30 Oct. 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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