1
as in strangles
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
Relevance
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
2
as in suppresses
to refrain from openly showing or uttering
stifled a yawn
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
3
as in muffles
to deaden the sound of
he stifled a cough with his hand
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
Example Sentences
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Recent Examples of stifles
Administrative red tape stifles growth Beyond direct financial costs, small business owners are struggling with a sudden increase in bureaucratic red tape.
—
Nick Lichtenberg, Fortune, 29 Dec. 2025
Over-regulation stifles American growth and aids China in this crucial race for global strength.
—Samuel Field, Boston Herald, 25 Dec. 2025
Willa’s attempt to reclaim routine leads her to a school that stifles her curiosity — forcing her to choose between conformity and her own voice.
—Naman Ramachandran, Variety, 1 Dec. 2025
Under that traditional system, films are co-financed by sprawling consortiums of studios, broadcasters and publishers, a process critics say stifles creative autonomy and limits profit participation for filmmakers.
—Patrick Brzeski, HollywoodReporter, 28 Nov. 2025
His paralysis stifles his ability to work more, and to stay in his CMHA unit, his income must remain between 30%-60% of the area median income, which is between $21,575 and $43,151.
—Sydney Franklin, Cincinnati Enquirer, 9 Nov. 2025
Lean also refuted claims that bipolar disorder stifles creativity.
—Mackenzie Cummings-Grady, Billboard, 6 Nov. 2025
Or to send any kind of message that stifles his defining disposition.
—Kansas City Star, 22 Oct. 2025
Trump silencing free speech stifles our democracy.
—Andrew Stanton, MSNBC Newsweek, 19 Sep. 2025
Nick Lichtenberg, Fortune, 29 Dec. 2025
Over-regulation stifles American growth and aids China in this crucial race for global strength.
—Samuel Field, Boston Herald, 25 Dec. 2025
Willa’s attempt to reclaim routine leads her to a school that stifles her curiosity — forcing her to choose between conformity and her own voice.
—Naman Ramachandran, Variety, 1 Dec. 2025
Under that traditional system, films are co-financed by sprawling consortiums of studios, broadcasters and publishers, a process critics say stifles creative autonomy and limits profit participation for filmmakers.
—Patrick Brzeski, HollywoodReporter, 28 Nov. 2025
His paralysis stifles his ability to work more, and to stay in his CMHA unit, his income must remain between 30%-60% of the area median income, which is between $21,575 and $43,151.
—Sydney Franklin, Cincinnati Enquirer, 9 Nov. 2025
Lean also refuted claims that bipolar disorder stifles creativity.
—Mackenzie Cummings-Grady, Billboard, 6 Nov. 2025
Or to send any kind of message that stifles his defining disposition.
—Kansas City Star, 22 Oct. 2025
Trump silencing free speech stifles our democracy.
—Andrew Stanton, MSNBC Newsweek, 19 Sep. 2025
Recent Examples of Synonyms for stifles
Verb
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Mostly, though, Boland strangles batters with his suffocating and deadly-accurate line and length.—
Tim Spiers,
New York Times,
7 Jan. 2026
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What starts as an innocent father/daughter college visit takes a shocking turn when Tony brutally strangles a Mob turncoat.—
Dan Snierson,
Entertainment Weekly,
27 Dec. 2025
Verb
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Molochnikov’s Extremist, backed by Ben Stiller and John Lesher, is a resonant anti-war short that shows what happens when activism collides with an authoritarian regime that suppresses human rights and other freedoms.—
Destiny Jackson,
Deadline,
11 Jan. 2026
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When enforcement actions sweep through a community, fear suppresses economic activity almost overnight.—
Anabel Mendoza,
Chicago Tribune,
2 Jan. 2026
Verb
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Although the snow sometimes muffles the thunder, the lightning can be seen, said meteorologist Grant Gilmore, formerly of WFMY-TV in Greensboro, North Carolina.—
Doyle Rice,
USA Today,
25 Nov. 2025
Verb
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Physical bullying happens when a child hits, kicks, trips, pushes, chokes or otherwise hurts another child.—
Dr. Mahvash Madni,
Boston Herald,
4 Jan. 2026
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Left to die, breathless and alone, Invisigal chokes while Robert screams from the other end of the comms.—
Christopher Cruz,
Rolling Stone,
7 Nov. 2025
Verb
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There is also something about a theme park that swallows you up.—
Kimberly Zapata,
Parents,
19 Dec. 2025
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Once attached, the virus slides along the surface until the cell reshapes itself and swallows the virus inside.—
Pranjal Malewar,
New Atlas,
12 Dec. 2025
Verb
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Complexity smothers everything, like Japanese knotweed.—
Adrian Wooldridge,
Twin Cities,
6 Dec. 2025
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If either smothers the grass for long periods, this can compact soil and lead to mold problems.—
Brandee Gruener,
Southern Living,
29 Nov. 2025
Verb
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That timing hasn’t been lost on the festival’s critics, who say the high-profile American comics are lending legitimacy to a government that represses dissent, jails activists and restricts free speech.—
Liam Reilly,
CNN Money,
2 Oct. 2025
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But outside of the ring, Christy hides and represses her lesbianism and winds up marrying her trainer Jim Martin (Ben Foster), who manipulates and physically abuses her.—
Edward Segarra,
USA Today,
13 Sep. 2025
Verb
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Silence starves relevance; invisibility suffocates status.—
Rob Shuter,
HollywoodReporter,
14 Nov. 2025
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But for this to work, these supercities must have freedom from the bureaucratic maze that suffocates current development.—
Zoltan Istvan,
MSNBC Newsweek,
5 Nov. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Stifles.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/stifles. Accessed 20 Jan. 2026.
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