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
Synonyms & Similar Words
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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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Antonyms & Near Antonyms
Example Sentences
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Recent Examples of stifle
The stifling temperatures can mean dangerous conditions for correctional staff and prisoners, contributing to medical emergencies and potentially violating prisoners' Constitutional rights, a situation that can result in lawsuits that leave taxpayers responsible for legal payouts.
—
Natalie Eilbert, jsonline.com, 9 July 2025
That threshold stifles the risk of an outbreak of a highly contagious disease like measles because almost everyone has immunity.
—Jordan Smith, IndyStar, 2 July 2025
Franchising does not need to stifle creativity, or be faceless and lacking in personality - in fact a strong and collaborative franchise network can be a fantastic melting pot of ideas to fuel innovation and growth which benefits both franchisor and franchisee.
—Fiona Simpson, Forbes.com, 1 July 2025
Detractors argue the current system enforces outdated policies, stifles institutional innovation, and advances a liberal agenda, often through mandates tied to DEI initiatives.
—Garrett Shanley, Miami Herald, 26 June 2025
See All Example Sentences for stifle
Natalie Eilbert, jsonline.com, 9 July 2025
That threshold stifles the risk of an outbreak of a highly contagious disease like measles because almost everyone has immunity.
—Jordan Smith, IndyStar, 2 July 2025
Franchising does not need to stifle creativity, or be faceless and lacking in personality - in fact a strong and collaborative franchise network can be a fantastic melting pot of ideas to fuel innovation and growth which benefits both franchisor and franchisee.
—Fiona Simpson, Forbes.com, 1 July 2025
Detractors argue the current system enforces outdated policies, stifles institutional innovation, and advances a liberal agenda, often through mandates tied to DEI initiatives.
—Garrett Shanley, Miami Herald, 26 June 2025
See All Example Sentences for stifle
Recent Examples of Synonyms for stifle
Verb
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Menzies was convicted of the 1986 murder of 26-year-old Maurine Hunsaker, a married mother of three who was kidnapped, robbed, strangled, and found tied to a tree with her throat slit.—
Amanda Lee Myers,
USA Today,
11 July 2025
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Most of the victims were strangled or asphyxiated, and Gacy buried 26 of the bodies in the crawl space beneath his home; others were found in Chicago waterways, per NPR.—
Nicole Acosta,
People.com,
8 July 2025
Verb
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The building’s sprinkler system suppressed the flames before firefighters completed their operations, bringing the fire under control in under 30 minutes, officials said.—
Aurora Beacon-News,
Chicago Tribune,
11 July 2025
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That same resolution created Palestine, which Israel has refused to recognize and has fought to suppress ever since.—
Sun Sentinel Editorial Board,
Sun Sentinel,
11 July 2025
Verb
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Rutter suggests using a white noise generator to muffle the loud booms of the fireworks.—
Kelsey Monstrola,
USA Today,
24 June 2025
-
As of February, staffers from DOGE had pushed top-ranking officials at the Department of Education out of their offices, rearranged the furniture and set up white noise machines to muffle their voices, according to employees at the agency.—
Lora Kolodny,Ari Levy,
CNBC,
22 Apr. 2025
Verb
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The boy stuck his head through the dividers and appeared to be choking, according to the witness, who said Smith laughed and pushed the boy’s head back through the divider.—
Meredith Colias-Pete,
Chicago Tribune,
11 July 2025
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In addition to the chickens, Frank flushed his shoes down one of the toilets, Dennis and Dee kept blowing fuses with the scheme's need for a power-sucking vacuum sealer, and the basement was choked with carbon monoxide.—
Dennis Perkins,
EW.com,
10 July 2025
Verb
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In 2022, the Conservancy of Southwest Florida discovered a 115-pound python in the process of swallowing a 77-pound deer, which amounted to 66.9% of the snake’s body mass, officials said.—
Mark Price
July 11,
Miami Herald,
11 July 2025
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Symptoms usually start 6 hours to 6 days after swallowing the bacteria.—
Matt Cannon,
MSNBC Newsweek,
11 July 2025
Verb
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This lightweight leave-in conditioner is designed for all curl types, from loose waves to coily textures, and hydrates without adding a smothering layer of buildup.—
Jailynn Taylor,
Allure,
7 July 2025
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Instead, bruising inside Aria’s cheeks and cuts in her mouth consistent with being smothered to death were discovered, said Dr. Tran.—
Miami Herald,
Miami Herald,
7 July 2025
Verb
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In the early years of the republic, a tradition of repressing dissent arose alongside dissent itself.—
Time,
Time,
2 July 2025
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Now, a new study led by researchers from the University of Barcelona (UB) in Spain has identified a protein molecule that represses the activation of BAT, and could be valuable for treating the malnutrition, weight loss and muscle wastage associated with some cancers.—
New Atlas,
New Atlas,
16 June 2025
Verb
-
Atlanta has been every bit as suffocating defensively as the Valkyries, albeit with plenty more polish on offense.—
Garrett Chorpenning,
New York Times,
11 July 2025
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A couple in Ohio are facing murder charges after officials say a 2-year-old girl was suffocated to death.—
Kansas City Star,
Kansas City Star,
10 July 2025
Cite this Entry
“Stifle.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/stifle. Accessed 26 Jul. 2025.
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