Synonyms of stifling

stifling 1 of 2

adjective

as in close

lacking fresh air

the lecture hall was stifling until we opened several windows

Synonyms & Similar Words

• close
• suffocating
• stuffy
• breathless
• thick
• oppressive
• heavy
• airless
• unventilated
• fuggy

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

• breezy
• airy
• refreshing
• sweet
• bracing
• reviving
• brisk
• restorative
• unstuffy
• invigorating
• ventilated
• refreshed

stifling

2 of 2

verb

present participle of stifle

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

Synonyms & Similar Words

• strangling
• choking
• suffocating
• smothering
• drowning
• destroying
• asphyxiating
• throttling
• slaying
• garroting
• dispatching
• felling
• doing in
• croaking

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

• breathing
• inhaling
• inspiring
• expiring
• exhaling
• reviving
• resuscitating

2

as in suppressing

to refrain from openly showing or uttering

stifled a yawn

Synonyms & Similar Words

• suppressing
• swallowing
• repressing
• controlling
• smothering
• strangling
• managing
• choking (back)
• containing
• holding back
• submerging
• sinking
• pocketing
• curbing
• governing
• quelling
• quashing
• checking
• muffling
• bridling
• squelching
• bottling up

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

• expressing
• venting
• releasing
• taking out
• unleashing
• loosing

3

as in muffling

to deaden the sound of

he stifled a cough with his hand

Synonyms & Similar Words

• muffling
• muting
• insulating
• softening
• padding
• mellowing
• baffling
• toning (down)
• smothering
• dampening
• subduing
• soundproofing

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

• increasing
• deepening
• enhancing
• strengthening
• unmuffling
• heightening
• amplifying
• boosting
• magnifying
• stepping up

Example Sentences

Recent Examples of stifling

Adjective

For all the deserved talk about the Knicks’ dynamic offense, the defense has been far more stifling than their reputation suggests. — Fred Katz, New York Times, 15 May 2026

Her mother, who had a staid upbringing in California, came to New York in the early sixties looking for someplace more diverse and less stifling. — Molly Fischer, New Yorker, 2 Apr. 2026

Verb

Cubans strolled along el Paseo del Prado promenade in the inky night, desperate to escape the stifling heat of their homes. — Romina Ruiz-Goiriena, USA Today, 6 July 2026

There was criticism from some Republicans, who said the commissioner had gone too far and was stifling free speech. — Max Tani, semafor.com, 6 July 2026

The outages come as some areas are expected to experience severe weather and stifling heat again on Saturday. — Jon Haworth, ABC News, 5 July 2026

As the rest of the country struggled under stifling heat, the Pacific Northwest enjoyed temperatures in the 60s with even a few light showers. — Steven Sloan, Los Angeles Times, 4 July 2026

Hundreds of millions of people will be exposed to dangerous, stifling heat over the extended July 4 weekend, with officials warning people to limit time outdoors and stay hydrated. — Victor Tangermann, Futurism, 2 July 2026

The quilt has a thin layer of batting that adds a touch of warmth without feeling stifling on warm nights. — Maggie Horton, PEOPLE, 1 July 2026

In the early afternoon, a roar ripped through the stifling Mississippi heat, as dozens of motorcycles leading the funeral procession rumbled into the church parking lot. — Bracey Harris, NBC news, 28 June 2026

Thousands of schools have been closed for days on end, and students are taking their exams in stifling classrooms. — Henry Grabar, The Atlantic, 27 June 2026