stifle

1 of 2

verb

sti·​fle ˈstī-fəl How to pronounce stifle (audio)
stifled; stifling ˈstī-f(ə-)liŋ How to pronounce stifle (audio)

transitive verb

1
a
: to withhold from circulation or expression
stifled our anger
b
: to cut off (the voice, the breath, etc.)
2
a(1)
: muffle
(2)
b
: to kill by depriving of oxygen : suffocate

intransitive verb

: to be or become unable to breathe easily
stifling in the heat
stifler noun
stiflingly adverb

stifle

2 of 2

noun

: 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
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
Verb
The suit alleges that Visa used its dominance to stifle the growth of existing competitors and prevent other firms from developing alternatives. Rocio Fabbro, Quartz, 4 Dec. 2024 Soon after Park’s death, Chun Doo-hwan, an army major general, seized power in a coup and declared martial law, arresting opponents, closing universities, banning political activities and stifling the press. Nectar Gan, CNN, 4 Dec. 2024 However, few financial decision-makers are eager to expose private customer data to a generative AI (gen AI) model, which stifles innovation. Forbes, 3 Dec. 2024 The fabric boasts a four-way stretch that hugs your curves instead of stifling your body during everyday movement, and the pull-on design is especially well-suited for busy days on the go. Merrell Readman, Travel + Leisure, 29 Nov. 2024 See all Example Sentences for stifle 

Word History

Etymology

Verb

alteration of Middle English stuflen

Noun

Middle English

First Known Use

Verb

1513, in the meaning defined at transitive sense 2b

Noun

14th century, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of stifle was in the 14th century

Dictionary Entries Near stifle

Cite this Entry

“Stifle.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/stifle. Accessed 12 Dec. 2024.

Kids Definition

stifle

verb
sti·​fle
ˈstī-fəl
stifled; stifling
-f(ə-)liŋ
1
: to kill by depriving of or die from lack of oxygen or air : smother
2
: to keep in check by deliberate effort : repress
trying to stifle a sneeze
stiflingly
-f(ə-)liŋ-lē
adverb

Medical Definition

stifle

noun
sti·​fle ˈstī-fəl How to pronounce stifle (audio)
: the joint next above the hock in the hind leg of a quadruped (as a horse) corresponding to the knee in humans

More from Merriam-Webster on stifle

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