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
Luke Chinman, PEOPLE, 31 Oct. 2025
Like the face-to-face collaboration benefits lost at GISS, employees fear shutting down Goddard's cafeteria will be stifling.
—Josh Dinner, Space.com, 31 Oct. 2025
Suárez could be awfully effective in San Francisco with the marine layer stifling deep fly balls on chilly nights by the bay.
—Jackson Roberts, MSNBC Newsweek, 29 Oct. 2025
The objection was to stay compact in central areas, as well as stifling any passes into Gravenberch, who is crucial to Liverpool’s early build-up.
—The Athletic Uk Staff, New York Times, 25 Oct. 2025
Cocoa and coffee prices, which have been pushed higher by climate change stifling supply, now face further pressures from tariffs.
—Alicia Wallace, CNN Money, 23 Oct. 2025
The air was clammy and stifling.
—Literary Hub, 23 Oct. 2025
There was one stifling stretch — during the thick of summer, for instance — when Charlotte had to play eight of 10 MLS regular-season matches on the road.
—Alex Zietlow, Charlotte Observer, 22 Oct. 2025
The Dodgers proved as much with a stifling performance to shut down the Milwaukee Brewers in a four-game sweep in the National League Championship Series.
—Jeff Fletcher, Oc Register, 18 Oct. 2025
Verb
The space was stifling in the Louisiana heat, so fans were blowing for everyone inside.
—Luke Chinman, PEOPLE, 31 Oct. 2025
Like the face-to-face collaboration benefits lost at GISS, employees fear shutting down Goddard's cafeteria will be stifling.
—Josh Dinner, Space.com, 31 Oct. 2025
Suárez could be awfully effective in San Francisco with the marine layer stifling deep fly balls on chilly nights by the bay.
—Jackson Roberts, MSNBC Newsweek, 29 Oct. 2025
The objection was to stay compact in central areas, as well as stifling any passes into Gravenberch, who is crucial to Liverpool’s early build-up.
—The Athletic Uk Staff, New York Times, 25 Oct. 2025
Cocoa and coffee prices, which have been pushed higher by climate change stifling supply, now face further pressures from tariffs.
—Alicia Wallace, CNN Money, 23 Oct. 2025
The air was clammy and stifling.
—Literary Hub, 23 Oct. 2025
There was one stifling stretch — during the thick of summer, for instance — when Charlotte had to play eight of 10 MLS regular-season matches on the road.
—Alex Zietlow, Charlotte Observer, 22 Oct. 2025
The Dodgers proved as much with a stifling performance to shut down the Milwaukee Brewers in a four-game sweep in the National League Championship Series.
—Jeff Fletcher, Oc Register, 18 Oct. 2025
Recent Examples of Synonyms for stifling
Adjective
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This was a decisive turn away from Hasina’s India-first posture and toward closer alignment with Beijing.—
MUHIB RAHMAN,
Foreign Affairs,
12 Nov. 2025
-
Highly acidic foods like pickles and tomatoes will react with the can after an extended period of time, causing both taste and texture changes so pay particularly close attention to expiration dates on these items.—
Patricia Shannon,
Southern Living,
11 Nov. 2025
Verb
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The man previously on Florida’s Death Row for beating, stabbing and strangling a La Carreta waitress with a rice cooker — before lighting a blaze to destroy key evidence — should be condemned to die, Miami prosecutors told a jury after detailing the slaying on Wednesday morning.—
Grethel Aguila,
Miami Herald,
5 Nov. 2025
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When Josh got home five minutes later, Martin met him at the door with a knife and chased him upstairs, stabbing him and then strangling him with a belt or a rope, Evans said.—
KC Baker,
PEOPLE,
30 Oct. 2025
Verb
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As Charlotte explains, barely suppressing her resentment, Leroy is concerned that her commitment to the cause could stall his ascent at work.—
Louis Peitzman,
Vulture,
10 Nov. 2025
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The damage from Biden’s inner circle suppressing her achievements and letting negative narratives run wild was done.—
Emma Burleigh,
Fortune,
6 Nov. 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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Doors and windows were locked, producing a suffocating effect in the hot weather.—
Literary Hub,
Literary Hub,
16 Oct. 2025
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For Perrie Edwards, the studio can be both a sanctuary and a suffocating cocoon.—
Sophie Williams,
Billboard,
24 Sep. 2025
Verb
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The clouds billowed as far east as New York, choking farm economies in the middle of the country and sending millions of people on the move.—
Vann R. Newkirk II,
The Atlantic,
10 Nov. 2025
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The two eventually fell to the floor of the bus, and the choking continued, according to the complaint.—
Teri Figueroa,
San Diego Union-Tribune,
8 Nov. 2025
Verb
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When To Seek Medical Care Things like fizzy drinks, overeating, or swallowing air can cause bloating.—
Merve Ceylan,
Health,
7 Nov. 2025
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Signs of botulism include difficulty swallowing or breathing, slurred speech and muscle weakness.—
CNN Money,
CNN Money,
6 Nov. 2025
Adjective
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Create an elevated space that's anything but stuffy with these decorating and design ideas.—
Leanne Potts,
Better Homes & Gardens,
9 Nov. 2025
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When the air turns crisp in fall and winter, the dryness indoors can sneak up on you — and so can flaky skin, a scratchy throat, and stuffy sinuses (not to mention allergens).—
Jeaneen Russell,
PEOPLE,
31 Oct. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Stifling.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/stifling. Accessed 14 Nov. 2025.
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