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
Molly Fischer, New Yorker, 2 Apr. 2026
Joel Lorenzi, New York Times, 20 Apr. 2026
The bill, which passed with another similar piece of legislation aimed at limiting protests around houses of worship, has drawn concerns about stifling free speech rights, especially for pro-Palestine protests.
—Josephine Stratman, New York Daily News, 17 Apr. 2026
The states in the civil case accused Live Nation of stifling competition, limiting consumer choice and driving up ticket prices for concert-goers.
—Mary Cunningham, CBS News, 15 Apr. 2026
Seller fees are part of the Federal Trade Commission's antitrust lawsuit against Amazon, filed in September 2023 and scheduled for trial in 2027, which accuses the company of using anticompetitive tactics to maintain its e-commerce dominance, as well as stifling merchants on its marketplace.
—Annie Palmer, CNBC, 15 Apr. 2026
The order also states that the government may suspend or ban state contracts with AI companies that violate existing civil liberties, such as stifling freedom of speech or engaging in surveillance.
—Richard Sill, Oc Register, 14 Apr. 2026
The Gamecocks played stifling defense to knock off UConn 62-48 and end the defending champion Huskies’ 54-game winning streak in the Final Four on Friday night.
—Doug Feinberg, Chicago Tribune, 5 Apr. 2026
Ta’Niya Latson scored 16 and Agot Makeer added 14 points and South Carolina played stifling defense to beat Connecticut 62-48 on Friday night, ending the Huskies’ 54-game winning streak and advancing to the women’s NCAA tournament championship game.
—Los Angeles Times, 4 Apr. 2026
There are those, however, who do not see regulation as a stifling force.
—Francesca Cassidy, Fortune, 31 Mar. 2026
Adjective
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
The defense is historically stifling.
—Joel Lorenzi, New York Times, 20 Apr. 2026
The bill, which passed with another similar piece of legislation aimed at limiting protests around houses of worship, has drawn concerns about stifling free speech rights, especially for pro-Palestine protests.
—Josephine Stratman, New York Daily News, 17 Apr. 2026
The states in the civil case accused Live Nation of stifling competition, limiting consumer choice and driving up ticket prices for concert-goers.
—Mary Cunningham, CBS News, 15 Apr. 2026
Seller fees are part of the Federal Trade Commission's antitrust lawsuit against Amazon, filed in September 2023 and scheduled for trial in 2027, which accuses the company of using anticompetitive tactics to maintain its e-commerce dominance, as well as stifling merchants on its marketplace.
—Annie Palmer, CNBC, 15 Apr. 2026
The order also states that the government may suspend or ban state contracts with AI companies that violate existing civil liberties, such as stifling freedom of speech or engaging in surveillance.
—Richard Sill, Oc Register, 14 Apr. 2026
The Gamecocks played stifling defense to knock off UConn 62-48 and end the defending champion Huskies’ 54-game winning streak in the Final Four on Friday night.
—Doug Feinberg, Chicago Tribune, 5 Apr. 2026
Ta’Niya Latson scored 16 and Agot Makeer added 14 points and South Carolina played stifling defense to beat Connecticut 62-48 on Friday night, ending the Huskies’ 54-game winning streak and advancing to the women’s NCAA tournament championship game.
—Los Angeles Times, 4 Apr. 2026
There are those, however, who do not see regulation as a stifling force.
—Francesca Cassidy, Fortune, 31 Mar. 2026
Recent Examples of Synonyms for stifling
Adjective
-
After entering the game tied at 3 in the ninth, Mets closer Devin Williams allowed two runs in a disastrous final frame to fall to the Twins 5-3 and record their 12th loss in a row, their longest streak since 2002.—
James O'Connell,
New York Daily News,
22 Apr. 2026
-
Two Southwest Airlines jets got dangerously close near Nashville on Saturday, triggering collision alarms.—
Aaron Cooper,
CNN Money,
21 Apr. 2026
Verb
-
Horner told a false story about hitting the little girl with his van and then strangling her in a panic, according to testimony of the case’s lead investigator, Texas Ranger Job Espinoza.—
Harriet Ramos,
Fort Worth Star-Telegram,
24 Apr. 2026
-
White House press secretary Karoline Leavitt told reporters on Wednesday that the blockade was strangling Iran’s economy.—
Bart Jansen,
USA Today,
23 Apr. 2026
Verb
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The drug has already taught the field that powerfully suppressing this key cancer driver actually works.—
Lisa Jarvis,
Mercury News,
23 Apr. 2026
-
By suppressing appetite, the body can direct more energy toward the immune response.—
Jasna Hodžić,
Big Think,
22 Apr. 2026
Verb
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Acidification reduces the pH of seawater, which also diminishes sound absorption, so the stain of ship’s engine noise spreads further, muffling the songs of humpbacks and the codas of sperm whales.—
Literary Hub,
Literary Hub,
9 Apr. 2026
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The timeless linen is backed with a white blackout liner to block out as much light as possible without adding unnecessary bulk to your window frames while muffling the sound from your street.—
Nashia Baker,
Architectural Digest,
31 Mar. 2026
Adjective
-
Georgia will surely be ready and focused on its home floor following two consecutive losses, but Bucky Ball and its suffocating style from a fresh A&M team will be too much for the Bulldogs.—
Tony Catalina,
Austin American Statesman,
30 Jan. 2026
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Justin Edmonds / Getty Images Darnold, Mike Macdonald and a suffocating defense have led the Seahawks to the big stage for the fourth time in franchise history.—
CBS News,
CBS News,
26 Jan. 2026
Verb
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James Ernest Hitchcock, 70, is scheduled to received a lethal injection for his conviction in the fatal beating and choking of his 13-year-old niece.—
David Fischer,
Sun Sentinel,
21 Apr. 2026
-
He was convicted of beating and choking his 13-year-old niece to death.—
CBS Miami Team,
CBS News,
21 Apr. 2026
Verb
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Popular with airboaters, froggers and fishermen, the swampy muck beneath the water may have acted as a pincushion, essentially swallowing the disabled DC-9 aircraft.—
Miami Herald Archives,
Miami Herald,
21 Apr. 2026
-
Avoid swallowing water while swimming.—
Stephen Underwood,
Hartford Courant,
19 Apr. 2026
Adjective
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The lightweight jersey keeps you cool in stuffy cabins and crowded trains, while built‑in stretch maintains a smooth shape after hours of wear.—
Paris Wilson,
Travel + Leisure,
22 Apr. 2026
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The collared button-down paired with matching shorts strikes the right balance between polished and relaxed, without feeling stuffy.—
Alexandra Emanuelli,
Southern Living,
22 Apr. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Stifling.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/stifling. Accessed 26 Apr. 2026.
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