Synonyms of stifled

stifled 1 of 2

adjective

as in suppressed

Related Words

• suppressed
• repressed
• silenced
• hidden
• closeted
• concealed
• personal
• surreptitious
• offstage
• offscreen
• backstage
• furtive
• restricted
• sneak
• clandestine
• conspiratorial
• underground
• collusive
• sneaky
• stealthy
• closet
• undisclosed
• underhanded
• undercover
• unsaid
• untold
• covert
• unmentioned
• silent
• classified
• underhand
• top secret
• sneaking
• unadvertised
• unannounced
• confidential
• occult
• inside
• hugger-mugger
• private
• intimate
• nonpublic
• esoteric
• hushed
• privy
• behind-the-scenes
• secret
• hush-hush

Dissimilar Words

• open
• public
• common
• proclaimed
• professed
• declared
• broadcast
• publicized
• aired
• reported
• announced
• prevailing
• general
• heralded
• blazed
• advertised
• published
• widespread
• vulgar
• prevalent
• disclosed
• popular
• current
• rife
• promulgated
• enunciated
• well-known
• spotlighted
• shared
• communal
• divulged

stifled

2 of 2

verb

past tense of stifle

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

• strangled
• choked
• smothered
• suffocated
• drowned
• destroyed
• throttled
• asphyxiated
• garroted
• dispatched
• felled
• slew
• croaked
• did in

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

• inspired
• breathed
• expired
• inhaled
• exhaled
• revived
• resuscitated

2

as in swallowed

to refrain from openly showing or uttering

stifled a yawn

Synonyms & Similar Words

• suppressed
• swallowed
• repressed
• controlled
• managed
• smothered
• strangled
• contained
• submerged
• choked (back)
• held back
• sank
• pocketed
• governed
• curbed
• quashed
• checked
• quelled
• muffled
• bridled
• squelched
• bottled up

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

• expressed
• released
• took out
• unleashed
• vented
• loosed

3

as in muffled

to deaden the sound of

he stifled a cough with his hand

Synonyms & Similar Words

• muffled
• muted
• insulated
• softened
• padded
• subdued
• mellowed
• baffled
• dampened
• soundproofed
• toned (down)
• smothered

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

• increased
• enhanced
• deepened
• heightened
• strengthened
• unmuffled
• amplified
• magnified
• boosted
• stepped up

Example Sentences

Recent Examples of stifled

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

Redick added that part of what Holmgren has done, overhelping on defense and forcing Ayton toward the perimeter, has stifled the 7-footer’s production. —Benjamin Royer, Oc Register, 10 May 2026

Stoner refuses to let his passion for literature be stifled. —Encyclopedia Britannica, 8 May 2026

Wednesday was the second time in as many starts that Eovaldi stifled the Yankees. —Gary Phillips, New York Daily News, 7 May 2026

Over the past several postseasons, more physicality has been allowed, which has stifled some offenses. —Lev Akabas, Sportico.com, 6 May 2026

Padilla’s physical comedy shifted the sketch into a different stratosphere; Marshall and Rodrigo barely stifled their laughter as Beverly tried to wrestle the cardigan onto Duncan’s chest. —Paula Mejía, The Atlantic, 3 May 2026

Jerar Encarnacion stifled a fifth-inning rally with a double-play groundout, after Rafael Devers reached on a leadoff single and took third on a Jung Hoo Lee single. —Cam Inman, Mercury News, 2 May 2026

Both are critical of Measure ULA, which has stifled development across the city. —The Editorial Board, Daily News, 29 Apr. 2026

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