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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Antonyms & Near Antonyms
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
Keeping drugs affordable requires Congress to address anticompetitive tactics by brand manufacturers to stifle competition.
—
Wayne T Brough, Oc Register, 29 May 2026
Everyone was very, very, very religious, but specifically Christianity and Catholicism, which in my opinion are very stifling religions that are very God-fearing.
—Louis Staples, Glamour, 27 May 2026
Since the party rose to power in 2014, with Prime Minister Narendra Modi at the helm, critics have accused it of stifling civil liberties and the press, pursuing a Hindu-first agenda, and inflaming religious divisions within India’s secular democracy.
—Rhea Mogul, CNN Money, 22 May 2026
In a new statement, Kalshi spokesperson Elisabeth Diana emphasizes the company’s position that prediction markets can be additive to the reality TV experience, creating excitement rather than stifling viewership.
—Selome Hailu, Variety, 22 May 2026
See All Example Sentences for stifle
Wayne T Brough, Oc Register, 29 May 2026
Everyone was very, very, very religious, but specifically Christianity and Catholicism, which in my opinion are very stifling religions that are very God-fearing.
—Louis Staples, Glamour, 27 May 2026
Since the party rose to power in 2014, with Prime Minister Narendra Modi at the helm, critics have accused it of stifling civil liberties and the press, pursuing a Hindu-first agenda, and inflaming religious divisions within India’s secular democracy.
—Rhea Mogul, CNN Money, 22 May 2026
In a new statement, Kalshi spokesperson Elisabeth Diana emphasizes the company’s position that prediction markets can be additive to the reality TV experience, creating excitement rather than stifling viewership.
—Selome Hailu, Variety, 22 May 2026
See All Example Sentences for stifle
Recent Examples of Synonyms for stifle
Verb
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Autopsies determined that Shine was strangled and Carse died from sharp force trauma, the police department said.—
Tim Stelloh,
NBC news,
30 May 2026
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Nate comes back to life and strangles Cassie in a dark green Bottega Veneta suit, then Maddy saves her.—
Savannah Walsh,
Vanity Fair,
29 May 2026
Verb
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Economists have cautioned that the US-Israeli war with Iran and the related oil and supply shock could suppress hiring activity in the United States.—
Alicia Wallace,
CNN Money,
2 June 2026
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His puck-moving play was completely suppressed in the offensive zone, too.—
Shayna Goldman,
New York Times,
2 June 2026
Verb
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But these suites are also closest to the elevators, and the historic walls don’t adequately muffle the sounds of other guests.—
Condé Nast,
Condé Nast Traveler,
3 June 2026
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Nolan's team and IMAX worked together to create a special housing for the camera to muffle the sound of its operation.—
Will Croxton,
CBS News,
17 May 2026
Verb
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Hilton has raised crucial issues about Newsom’s overspending, low state K-12 test scores, high taxes choking the middle class, high gas prices and the endemic housing and homelessness crises.—
John Seiler,
Oc Register,
29 May 2026
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As discomforting as that sounds, there is no proof the 7-foot, 9-inch dolphin choked to death, according to Lauren Rust, executive director of the Lowcountry Marine Mammal Network and South Carolina Marine Mammal Stranding Coordinator.—
Mark Price,
Charlotte Observer,
29 May 2026
Verb
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Signs include panting, a hoarse bark, scuffing or dragging their toes along the ground, and sometimes regurgitation or swallowing problems.—
The Washington Post,
San Diego Union-Tribune,
30 May 2026
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Your calendar didn’t swallow your strategic work.—
Gerald J. Leonard,
Forbes.com,
29 May 2026
Verb
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Gilgeous-Alexander, smothered and bothered, was a minus-13 in the period.—
William Guillory,
New York Times,
31 May 2026
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The best slice pizza, according to the guide, comes from L’Industrie Pizzeria in New York, which is known for a slice smothered in Burrata.—
Connie Ogle
May 29,
Miami Herald,
29 May 2026
Verb
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In Montecito, closet-envy is one of many examples of Deborah’s competitive nature, which the character is unable to repress while trying to scam fellow comedian, Cherry Kilpatrick.—
Rachel Elspeth Gross,
Forbes.com,
30 May 2026
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Either way, something is repressed in Eleanor that is not with Theodora.—
Literary Hub,
Literary Hub,
26 May 2026
Verb
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But the Canes are built in the image of Brind’Amour, playing with a suffocating 200-foot relentlessness that has produced a 12-1 playoff record so far.—
Steve Conroy,
Boston Herald,
1 June 2026
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Using a milk application too frequently can also suffocate the plant by clogging its pores and hindering photosynthesis.—
SJ McShane,
Martha Stewart,
31 May 2026
Cite this Entry
“Stifle.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/stifle. Accessed 7 Jun. 2026.
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