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
Synonyms & Similar Words
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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Antonyms & Near Antonyms
Example Sentences
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Recent Examples of stifling
Idaho Statesman, 16 Jan. 2026
Then, on the other end, the Longhorns' stifling defense often caused turnovers, forcing the Gamecocks to look for their third or fourth option on the floor.
—Zoe Collins Rath, Austin American Statesman, 16 Jan. 2026
Moore’s task against Indiana’s stifling defense would have been daunting even with all his weapons.
—Jackson Thompson, FOXNews.com, 10 Jan. 2026
The immense costs associated with the program have only worsened the economic situation, leading to a more stifling environment.
—Isaac Chotiner, New Yorker, 10 Jan. 2026
Moore’s task against Indiana’s stifling defense would have been daunting even with all his weapons.
—Dallas Morning News, 9 Jan. 2026
Moore's task against Indiana's stifling defense would have been daunting even with all his weapons.
—CBS News, 9 Jan. 2026
Sentiment plummeted and uncertainty skyrocketed, stifling hiring plans in the process.
—Alicia Wallace, CNN Money, 8 Jan. 2026
This year, the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission eliminated them, avoiding the spectacle of bloody carcasses and stifling the ability of wildlife advocates to monitor the hunt in real time.
—Orlando Sentinel Editorial Board, Sun Sentinel, 1 Jan. 2026
Verb
In New York, a broader proposal to ban masks on the subway drew criticism about stifling protests.
—Idaho Statesman, 16 Jan. 2026
Then, on the other end, the Longhorns' stifling defense often caused turnovers, forcing the Gamecocks to look for their third or fourth option on the floor.
—Zoe Collins Rath, Austin American Statesman, 16 Jan. 2026
Moore’s task against Indiana’s stifling defense would have been daunting even with all his weapons.
—Jackson Thompson, FOXNews.com, 10 Jan. 2026
The immense costs associated with the program have only worsened the economic situation, leading to a more stifling environment.
—Isaac Chotiner, New Yorker, 10 Jan. 2026
Moore’s task against Indiana’s stifling defense would have been daunting even with all his weapons.
—Dallas Morning News, 9 Jan. 2026
Moore's task against Indiana's stifling defense would have been daunting even with all his weapons.
—CBS News, 9 Jan. 2026
Sentiment plummeted and uncertainty skyrocketed, stifling hiring plans in the process.
—Alicia Wallace, CNN Money, 8 Jan. 2026
This year, the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission eliminated them, avoiding the spectacle of bloody carcasses and stifling the ability of wildlife advocates to monitor the hunt in real time.
—Orlando Sentinel Editorial Board, Sun Sentinel, 1 Jan. 2026
Recent Examples of Synonyms for stifling
Adjective
-
Trump has formed close alliances with conservative tech figures, including Tesla CEO Elon Musk and investor David Sacks, who serves as the White House AI and crypto czar.—
Joseph Menn The Washington Post,
Arkansas Online,
21 Jan. 2026
-
Discussions with partners, spouses and close friends will be clear-headed and direct.—
Georgia Nicols,
Denver Post,
21 Jan. 2026
Verb
-
Later that month, another jury said Rafael Andres should be sent back to Florida’s Death Row for beating, stabbing and strangling a La Carreta waitress with a rice cooker cord in 2005.—
Grethel Aguila,
Miami Herald,
7 Jan. 2026
-
This month, 11 alleged TdA members were indicted in New Mexico, accused of kidnapping, brutally interrogating and strangling to death a man in Albuquerque and burying his body in a remote desert grave, The Center Square reported.—
Center Square,
The Washington Examiner,
5 Jan. 2026
Verb
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There’s plenty to like about both veteran pitchers and reason to believe that competing in a home run-suppressing environment will allow their attributes to play up.—
Andrew Baggarly,
New York Times,
6 Jan. 2026
-
Foulk argued Barrett was suppressing evidence by preventing the state from presenting certain tax returns and Illinois Department of Revenue testimony.—
Addison Wright,
Chicago Tribune,
6 Jan. 2026
Verb
-
The active noise cancellation actually blocks sounds, instead of offering that fake muffling nonsense.—
PC Magazine,
PC Magazine,
22 Nov. 2025
-
Money floods into affected districts, muffling outrage precisely when constituents are most enraged.—
John J. Donohue,
MSNBC Newsweek,
12 Sep. 2025
Adjective
-
Despite his team not needing to throw the football much thanks to a suffocating defensive performance (Trevor Lawrence attempted just 22 passes in Jacksonville's 35-6 win over the Chargers), Meyers still received six targets and produced five catches for 64 yards.—
Tyler Everett,
MSNBC Newsweek,
23 Nov. 2025
-
The Vikings never seemed to know what was coming next during the Chargers’ comprehensive 37-10 victory, unable to contend with Herbert and the offense or solve a suffocating defense that sacked Minnesota quarterback Carson Wentz five times and limited him to only 144 yards passing.—
Elliott Teaford,
Oc Register,
24 Oct. 2025
Verb
-
Remember that smaller caps are a choking hazard.—
Chris Baskind,
Treehugger,
20 Jan. 2026
-
My kids are past the concerns about choking and drowning (although these hazards also exist for adults).—
Rahul Jandial,
Parents,
18 Jan. 2026
Verb
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Symptoms can include abdominal pain or discomfort, blurred or double vision, dilated pupils, dizziness, drooping eyelid, dry or sore throat, facial muscle paralysis, nausea or vomiting, swollen belly, and trouble swallowing and speaking.—
Michele Laufik,
Martha Stewart,
20 Jan. 2026
-
For dry mouth, dipping food in sauce or gravy and sipping water throughout the day may help with swallowing.—
Stephanie Brown,
PEOPLE,
20 Jan. 2026
Adjective
-
But awards voters who snipe at talent anonymously in trade publications enjoy the stuffy, demure rhetoric the Marty machine largely ignored.—
Craig Jenkins,
Vulture,
21 Jan. 2026
-
Instead of helping a room feel inviting, window treatments that are way too dressy can feel stuffy and outdated.—
Maria Sabella,
The Spruce,
19 Jan. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Stifling.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/stifling. Accessed 25 Jan. 2026.
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