as in close
lacking fresh air
the lecture hall was stifling until we opened several windows
Synonyms & Similar Words
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Antonyms & Near Antonyms
1
as in strangling
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
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Antonyms & Near Antonyms
2
as in suppressing
to refrain from openly showing or uttering
stifled a yawn
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
3
as in muffling
to deaden the sound of
he stifled a cough with his hand
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Example Sentences
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Recent Examples of stifling
Emma Burleigh, Fortune, 16 Oct. 2025
Advertisement Advancing not stifling creativity Kakul Srivastava, CEO of music-sample marketplace Splice, delivered the next toast, which honored human creativity and emphasized the importance of technology that enables rather than restricts it.
—Zoe Corbyn, Time, 14 Oct. 2025
Atlanta's stifling defense was on full display against the Bills, shutting down Josh Allen and company through the second and fourth quarters.
—James Brizuela, MSNBC Newsweek, 14 Oct. 2025
Many of the games in the series have been blowouts, and Boise State jumped to a 10-0 lead Saturday night while stifling New Mexico’s offense, which had one first down in the first quarter.
—Jim Keyser, Idaho Statesman, 12 Oct. 2025
Brock Faber has also been terrific on the PK, but overall, the units have done a great job stifling zone entries, having good sticks and clearing the zone.
—Michael Russo, New York Times, 12 Oct. 2025
Constructed of a cozy blend of acrylic, polyester, cotton, viscose, and spandex, the top is warm but not stifling.
—Gabriela Izquierdo, Southern Living, 10 Oct. 2025
Merokeety 2-piece Fleece Loungewear Set Soft and cozy without being stifling, this fuzzy matching set is made for lounging, running errands, or even boarding a red-eye.
—Rosie Marder, Travel + Leisure, 7 Oct. 2025
The very table around which Pixar hoped to foster collaboration was stifling it.
—Rick Burton, Sportico.com, 6 Oct. 2025
Verb
Instead of letting the quality or design speak for itself, brands relied heavily on their own logos or experiences, stifling their innovation in the process.
—Emma Burleigh, Fortune, 16 Oct. 2025
Advertisement Advancing not stifling creativity Kakul Srivastava, CEO of music-sample marketplace Splice, delivered the next toast, which honored human creativity and emphasized the importance of technology that enables rather than restricts it.
—Zoe Corbyn, Time, 14 Oct. 2025
Atlanta's stifling defense was on full display against the Bills, shutting down Josh Allen and company through the second and fourth quarters.
—James Brizuela, MSNBC Newsweek, 14 Oct. 2025
Many of the games in the series have been blowouts, and Boise State jumped to a 10-0 lead Saturday night while stifling New Mexico’s offense, which had one first down in the first quarter.
—Jim Keyser, Idaho Statesman, 12 Oct. 2025
Brock Faber has also been terrific on the PK, but overall, the units have done a great job stifling zone entries, having good sticks and clearing the zone.
—Michael Russo, New York Times, 12 Oct. 2025
Constructed of a cozy blend of acrylic, polyester, cotton, viscose, and spandex, the top is warm but not stifling.
—Gabriela Izquierdo, Southern Living, 10 Oct. 2025
Merokeety 2-piece Fleece Loungewear Set Soft and cozy without being stifling, this fuzzy matching set is made for lounging, running errands, or even boarding a red-eye.
—Rosie Marder, Travel + Leisure, 7 Oct. 2025
The very table around which Pixar hoped to foster collaboration was stifling it.
—Rick Burton, Sportico.com, 6 Oct. 2025
Recent Examples of Synonyms for stifling
Adjective
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What to Know For Dedication Night, a family member or close friend will join each celebrity for their dedication dance.—
Amanda Castro,
MSNBC Newsweek,
15 Oct. 2025
-
The Andromeda Galaxy The Andromeda Galaxy lies almost directly overhead in the hours surrounding midnight on October nights, presenting a perfect opportunity to observe the Milky Way's closest neighbor without the atmospheric interference that comes from being close to the horizon.—
Anthony Wood,
Space.com,
14 Oct. 2025
Verb
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Rader would often stalk his victims, some for months, before binding their arms and legs, then slowly strangling them (with the exception of Bright).—
Jessica Sager,
PEOPLE,
11 Oct. 2025
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He was sentenced to die in 1983 for raping and strangling a woman in Newberry County and stealing her jewelry, according to court records.—
Greg Norman,
FOXNews.com,
11 Oct. 2025
Verb
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Pocketbook issues – high prices of goods, inflation and possible weakening in the labor market – are suppressing sentiment.—
Joanne Hsu,
The Conversation,
10 Oct. 2025
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This group includes patients undergoing cancer treatment, transplant recipients and individuals taking immune-suppressing medications.—
Katia Hetter,
CNN Money,
8 Oct. 2025
Verb
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Money floods into affected districts, muffling outrage precisely when constituents are most enraged.—
John J. Donohue,
MSNBC Newsweek,
12 Sep. 2025
-
The music, which ranges from Motown to '80s alternative, enlivens the room without muffling conversations.—
Keith Pandolfi,
Cincinnati Enquirer,
21 Aug. 2025
Adjective
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For Perrie Edwards, the studio can be both a sanctuary and a suffocating cocoon.—
Sophie Williams,
Billboard,
24 Sep. 2025
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Their pass rush is suffocating and multi-faceted — Andrew Van Ginkel and Jonathan Greenard alone might be dominant enough to make Minnesota a top-10 defense in spite of a less talented secondary.—
Bennett Durando,
Denver Post,
26 Aug. 2025
Verb
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How about firing choking smoke bombs at them?—
Howie Carr,
Boston Herald,
11 Oct. 2025
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In 2019 he was charged with assault and accused of choking and pushing a woman and preventing her from calling 911.—
Shelly Bradbury,
Denver Post,
10 Oct. 2025
Verb
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Live little fish on our tongues and swallowing them.—
Jon Blistein,
Rolling Stone,
14 Oct. 2025
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The platform has evolved into the default center of gravity for the creator economy, swallowing categories like music, gaming, education, and now podcasts.—
Nicholas Quah,
Vulture,
14 Oct. 2025
Adjective
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This chipping away at self can happen slowly, over time, with each passing day spent resolving sibling squabbles, staying up late to help with homework, cooking family meals, cleaning, carpooling, changing diapers, and wiping stuffy noses.—
Melissa Willets,
Parents,
10 Oct. 2025
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Despite the irony of her preoccupation with designer labels designating her as the stuffy one in the Spice Girls, she was met with scorn by the fashion establishment.—
Scarlett Harris,
Time,
9 Oct. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Stifling.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/stifling. Accessed 18 Oct. 2025.
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