as in suppressed
Related Words
Relevance
Dissimilar Words
1
as in strangled
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
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
2
as in swallowed
to refrain from openly showing or uttering
stifled a yawn
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
3
as in muffled
to deaden the sound of
he stifled a cough with his hand
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
Example Sentences
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.
Recent Examples of stifled
Justin Chang, New Yorker, 5 Dec. 2025
Andy Greder, Twin Cities, 23 Apr. 2026
While personal fans have been a fashionable accessory since before the Victorian era, the category has been stifled by a lack of innovation for a while.
—Andrew Gebhart, PC Magazine, 18 Apr. 2026
But the California School Boards Association staunchly opposed that legislation, arguing the bill stifled local decision-making.
—Molly Gibbs, Mercury News, 16 Apr. 2026
With nine punchouts, four hits and zero walks over seven innings, the lefty stifled an offense that broke out for 11 runs in Monday’s series-opener but has otherwise been a bit quiet lately.
—Gary Phillips, New York Daily News, 15 Apr. 2026
The suit argued that Live Nation's exclusivity contracts, threats to rivals, and leveraging of market domination over artists breached antitrust laws, resulting in inflated prices and stifled competition.
—Kiana Mickles, Pitchfork, 15 Apr. 2026
His Jonas – pronounced YO-nash in English – dreams of having a restaurant but is stifled as an ex-con with a fraud conviction.
—Stephen Schaefer, Boston Herald, 12 Apr. 2026
The plaintiffs further contend that USASF and other cheerleading bodies under Varsity’s sway awarded bids to all-star championship events in ways that reinforced Varsity’s market dominance and stifled competition.
—Daniel Libit, Sportico.com, 8 Apr. 2026
The Angels’ offense was stifled in a 10-inning, 3-1 loss to the Seattle Mariners during their home opener Friday night in front of 44,931 fans at Angel Stadium.
—Anthony Solorzano, Los Angeles Times, 4 Apr. 2026
Adjective
While unfolding the investigation, Guiraudie also finds the town seething with stifled lust that’s ready to burst out volcanically—and that’s inseparable from the natural mystery and wonder of country life.
—Justin Chang, New Yorker, 5 Dec. 2025
Verb
The Loons’ defense stifled Dallas striker Petar Musa, who came into the game leading MLS with nine goals this season.
—Andy Greder, Twin Cities, 23 Apr. 2026
While personal fans have been a fashionable accessory since before the Victorian era, the category has been stifled by a lack of innovation for a while.
—Andrew Gebhart, PC Magazine, 18 Apr. 2026
But the California School Boards Association staunchly opposed that legislation, arguing the bill stifled local decision-making.
—Molly Gibbs, Mercury News, 16 Apr. 2026
With nine punchouts, four hits and zero walks over seven innings, the lefty stifled an offense that broke out for 11 runs in Monday’s series-opener but has otherwise been a bit quiet lately.
—Gary Phillips, New York Daily News, 15 Apr. 2026
The suit argued that Live Nation's exclusivity contracts, threats to rivals, and leveraging of market domination over artists breached antitrust laws, resulting in inflated prices and stifled competition.
—Kiana Mickles, Pitchfork, 15 Apr. 2026
His Jonas – pronounced YO-nash in English – dreams of having a restaurant but is stifled as an ex-con with a fraud conviction.
—Stephen Schaefer, Boston Herald, 12 Apr. 2026
The plaintiffs further contend that USASF and other cheerleading bodies under Varsity’s sway awarded bids to all-star championship events in ways that reinforced Varsity’s market dominance and stifled competition.
—Daniel Libit, Sportico.com, 8 Apr. 2026
The Angels’ offense was stifled in a 10-inning, 3-1 loss to the Seattle Mariners during their home opener Friday night in front of 44,931 fans at Angel Stadium.
—Anthony Solorzano, Los Angeles Times, 4 Apr. 2026
Recent Examples of Synonyms for stifled
Adjective
-
General Manager Ken Holland hinted at potentially being done after trading center Phillip Danault for a draft pick in December and acquiring Panarin at a suppressed price in February, though he has been known to under-promise often and, sometimes, over-deliver.—
Andrew Knoll,
Daily News,
3 Mar. 2026
-
Supervising sound editor Alastair Sirkett told IndieWire that Peter Claffey’s big, former-rugby-player frame really helps that moment sing with suppressed panic.—
Sarah Shachat,
IndieWire,
18 Feb. 2026
Verb
-
She was found strangled to death, and despite what authorities described as an extensive investigation at the time, the case went cold the following year.—
Stepheny Price,
FOXNews.com,
20 Apr. 2026
-
However, after some of his friends started to come forward, police eventually learned that Griffith had strangled Flores Narvaez to death during a heated argument.—
Caroline Blair,
PEOPLE,
18 Apr. 2026
Verb
-
Last year, many of her chile plants were swallowed whole when a reservoir nearby (which the farmers use to harvest rainwater) flooded its banks during the monsoons.—
Kamala Thiagarajan,
NPR,
19 Apr. 2026
-
And the crocodile that swallowed one of his microphones.—
Heather Abbott,
CBS News,
19 Apr. 2026
Verb
-
He’s perched on the second floor above the courtyard, a few bustling parties muffled in the background.—
Nicole Letts,
Southern Living,
15 Apr. 2026
-
Other symptoms include ringing, a sensation like something is stuck in the ears or conversations sounding muffled.—
ABC News,
ABC News,
12 Apr. 2026
Adjective
-
And of course, our sweet, repressed boys steal the show.—
Literary Hub,
Literary Hub,
14 Apr. 2026
-
And Dane, who portrayed Nate’s repressed dad Cal Jacobs, died in February following a battle with ALS, after filming scenes for the show’s final season.—
Alli Rosenbloom,
CNN Money,
12 Apr. 2026
Verb
-
Given a chance to step on Minnesota’s throat, the Nuggets choked.—
Troy Renck,
Denver Post,
21 Apr. 2026
-
Oil prices are likely to remain well above their levels prior to the Iran war, the consequences of which have choked global supply for the foreseeable future.—
Mike Sheen,
CNBC,
15 Apr. 2026
Verb
-
Yet enthusiasm among young voters is muted, the poll found.—
Kathryn Palmer,
USA Today,
23 Apr. 2026
-
European stocks ticked higher on Thursday as regional market sentiment remains muted.—
Hugh Leask,Holly Ellyatt,Chloe Taylor,
CNBC,
23 Apr. 2026
Adjective
-
When monitoring wanes and enforcement fades, workers pay the price first in wages and safety, then in silenced voices and must choose between an empty stomach and their rights.—
Tharo Khun,
Sourcing Journal,
8 Jan. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Stifled.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/stifled. Accessed 27 Apr. 2026.
Copy CitationLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
