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
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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
Conversely, destructive energy hinders performance, breeds resentment, and stifles innovation.
—
Rebecca Ahmed, Big Think, 22 Apr. 2026
Overregulation stifles business, regardless of industry.
—John Cleveland, Boston Herald, 7 Apr. 2026
Critics say that trademarking the name of a common business model stifles the still-nascent heirloom and specialty beans market — a growing community of companies, farmers and influencers trying to increase consumption of beans, one of the most climate- and health-friendly foods around.
—Tara Duggan, San Francisco Chronicle, 2 Apr. 2026
Nothing stifles a good time like being stressed about what is going on at home without any way to intervene.
—Kaitlyn Yarborough, Southern Living, 10 Mar. 2026
Some parents have no issue monitoring and restricting how kids are using social media, AI chat bots, and even texting apps to keep them safe, while others worry too much oversight is an invasion of privacy and stifles their child's ability to develop independence.
—Liz Regalia, Parents, 26 Feb. 2026
Still, critics caution that the collaboration between OpenAI, Oracle, and SoftBank could form a cartel that stifles innovation while inflating costs.
—Charlie Campbell, Time, 24 Feb. 2026
Avoid heavy garden soil, which compacts easily and stifles bulb growth.
—Emily Hayes, Martha Stewart, 6 Feb. 2026
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
Rebecca Ahmed, Big Think, 22 Apr. 2026
Overregulation stifles business, regardless of industry.
—John Cleveland, Boston Herald, 7 Apr. 2026
Critics say that trademarking the name of a common business model stifles the still-nascent heirloom and specialty beans market — a growing community of companies, farmers and influencers trying to increase consumption of beans, one of the most climate- and health-friendly foods around.
—Tara Duggan, San Francisco Chronicle, 2 Apr. 2026
Nothing stifles a good time like being stressed about what is going on at home without any way to intervene.
—Kaitlyn Yarborough, Southern Living, 10 Mar. 2026
Some parents have no issue monitoring and restricting how kids are using social media, AI chat bots, and even texting apps to keep them safe, while others worry too much oversight is an invasion of privacy and stifles their child's ability to develop independence.
—Liz Regalia, Parents, 26 Feb. 2026
Still, critics caution that the collaboration between OpenAI, Oracle, and SoftBank could form a cartel that stifles innovation while inflating costs.
—Charlie Campbell, Time, 24 Feb. 2026
Avoid heavy garden soil, which compacts easily and stifles bulb growth.
—Emily Hayes, Martha Stewart, 6 Feb. 2026
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
Recent Examples of Synonyms for stifles
Verb
-
Ground cover plants around trees can lead to root girdling—where the cover essentially strangles the tree, threatening its health.—
Lee Wallender,
The Spruce,
30 Apr. 2026
-
As Iran strangles the Strait of Hormuz, countries have scrambled for alternative routes.—
Samy Magdy,
Los Angeles Times,
28 Mar. 2026
Verb
-
Mulch helps soil retain moisture, suppresses weed growth, and protects roots from temperature fluctuations.—
Michelle Mastro,
Martha Stewart,
23 Apr. 2026
-
Mulch helps retain soil moisture, suppresses weeds, and regulates soil temperature, says Putnam.—
Lauren David,
Southern Living,
17 Apr. 2026
Verb
-
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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In the ensuing battle, Mary is unable to run away from Howard, who then pins her down and seemingly chokes her out.—
Max Gao,
Variety,
29 Apr. 2026
-
In the second season, a patient under the influence wraps his arm around a young nurse’s neck and chokes her until the charge nurse intervenes.—
Jennifer Obel,
Twin Cities,
22 Apr. 2026
Verb
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Once the python swallows the tracker, biologists can track the dangerous python.—
Ticked Off,
The Orlando Sentinel,
30 Apr. 2026
-
Scientists discovered that when a python swallows a collared opossum whole, the GPS device keeps transmitting from inside the snake.—
Hanna Wickes,
Kansas City Star,
28 Apr. 2026
Verb
-
Carson smothers it over a crisp and shattering tortilla with tart pickled jalapeño, silky avocado crema and a blizzard of cotija cheese.—
Louisa Kung Liu Chu,
Chicago Tribune,
28 Apr. 2026
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Once in flowerbeds and vegetable gardens, the plant depletes potassium necessary for plant health and smothers low-growing plants.—
Mary Marlowe Leverette,
Southern Living,
16 Apr. 2026
Verb
-
The portrait of a woman who represses and conceals a rape struck a chord as the #MeToo movement took off and put Trobisch on the map.—
Melanie Goodfellow,
Deadline,
11 Feb. 2026
-
Trying to eliminate one side inevitably represses part of our own nature.—
Richard P. Weigand,
Rolling Stone,
30 Jan. 2026
Verb
-
Constantly soggy soil suffocates roots and invites rot — the plant equivalent of trench foot.—
Lauren Jarvis-Gibson,
Kansas City Star,
30 Apr. 2026
-
Most beginners assume more water equals healthier plants, but constantly soggy soil suffocates roots and triggers rot.—
Lauren Jarvis-Gibson,
Sacbee.com,
29 Apr. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Stifles.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/stifles. Accessed 4 May. 2026.
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