1
as in to strangle
to be or cause to be killed by lack of breathable air
unfortunately, the robbers were stifled when they got trapped in the airless bank vault
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2
as in to suppress
to refrain from openly showing or uttering
stifled a yawn
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Example Sentences
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Recent Examples of stifle
Nvidia has contended that further controls on its chips would stifle competition and potentially even erode U.S. competitiveness in technology.
—
Kif Leswing,jordan Novet, CNBC, 15 Apr. 2025
Mark Zuckerberg's Meta is facing a landmark antitrust case from the Federal Trade Commission (FTC), which accuses the company of stifling competition by acquiring potential rivals rather than innovating.
—Thomas G. Moukawsher, MSNBC Newsweek, 14 Apr. 2025
There are concerns that the region’s weak growth could be stifled as consumers and firms spend and invest less.
—Eshe Nelson, New York Times, 14 Apr. 2025
However, when leaders insist on perfect solutions, employees become reluctant to share ideas or take necessary risks, stifling innovation.
—Kara Dennison, Sphr, Cprw, Ec, Forbes.com, 9 Apr. 2025
See All Example Sentences for stifle
Kif Leswing,jordan Novet, CNBC, 15 Apr. 2025
Mark Zuckerberg's Meta is facing a landmark antitrust case from the Federal Trade Commission (FTC), which accuses the company of stifling competition by acquiring potential rivals rather than innovating.
—Thomas G. Moukawsher, MSNBC Newsweek, 14 Apr. 2025
There are concerns that the region’s weak growth could be stifled as consumers and firms spend and invest less.
—Eshe Nelson, New York Times, 14 Apr. 2025
However, when leaders insist on perfect solutions, employees become reluctant to share ideas or take necessary risks, stifling innovation.
—Kara Dennison, Sphr, Cprw, Ec, Forbes.com, 9 Apr. 2025
See All Example Sentences for stifle
Recent Examples of Synonyms for stifle
Verb
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According to prosecutors, Stinnett briefly regained consciousness and tried to fight back before Montgomery strangled her to death.—
Nicole Acosta,
People.com,
19 Apr. 2025
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Before police could arrest him, Jane Doe told deputies from the Monterey County Sheriff’s Office about other times Betancourt battered and strangled her.—
Bay City News Service,
Mercury News,
13 Apr. 2025
Verb
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The players argue the defendants have suppressed players’ earnings and other professional opportunities.—
Michael McCann,
Sportico.com,
18 Apr. 2025
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By suppressing the body's production of certain hormones, Lupron can pause the physical changes associated with puberty until a more appropriate age.—
Jordan King,
MSNBC Newsweek,
17 Apr. 2025
Verb
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In Nashville, Tennessee, city officials passed ordinances aimed at muffling extremist activity after more frequent demonstrations by such groups, including an instance in July when demonstrators rushed the council chambers, forcing closure of the gallery.—
Marc Ramirez,
USA TODAY,
18 Feb. 2025
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The blustery winds muffled the clank of wheels and thud of hooves.—
Andrew Lawler,
Smithsonian Magazine,
2 Apr. 2025
Verb
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Are there really women out there who want Badgley to put on his Joe Goldberg cap and choke them?—
Judy Berman,
Time,
24 Apr. 2025
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Southern California has been choked by smog since the mass adoption of the automobile.—
Terry Castleman,
Los Angeles Times,
23 Apr. 2025
Verb
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According to Egyptian mythology, Nut swallows the sun god Ra each night and gives birth to him each morning, symbolizing the solar cycle.—
Samantha Mathewson,
Space.com,
1 May 2025
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Instead, the officials swallowed their whistles, and Detroit fell 3-1 in the series.—
C.J. Holmes,
New York Daily News,
30 Apr. 2025
Verb
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Golden State won the regular-season series 3-2, but the Rockets smothered Curry and the Warriors 106-96 in the last matchup of the season.—
Joseph Dycus,
Mercury News,
21 Apr. 2025
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The English side came close to equalising either side of half-time when first Alessia Russo headed a Katie McCabe free kick against the crossbar before the break, and then after it, Caitlin Foord had a shot smothered by Lyon goalkeeper Christiane Endler.—
Asif Burhan,
Forbes.com,
19 Apr. 2025
Verb
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The level of violence used to repress street protesters put the focus on Security Minister Patricia Bullrich and her tactics.—
Agustino Fontevecchia,
Forbes.com,
20 Apr. 2025
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The course of the show has been allowing these little bursts to come out, and then repressing and repressing.—
Lauren Coates,
Variety,
11 Apr. 2025
Verb
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Iran’s economy is suffocating under sanctions, and Trump, focused on expanding any lucrative business opportunities, is keen to avoid escalating military action in the Middle East.—
Laura Kelly,
The Hill,
23 Apr. 2025
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But Season 2, by leaning so far into its characters’ anguish, has become more circular and suffocating in its storytelling.—
Shirley Li,
The Atlantic,
21 Apr. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Stifle.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/stifle. Accessed 5 May. 2025.
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