as in close
lacking fresh air
the lecture hall was stifling until we opened several windows
Synonyms & Similar Words
Relevance
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
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
Example Sentences
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to
show current usage.
Read More
Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors.
Send us feedback.
Recent Examples of stifling
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
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
Verb
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
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
Recent Examples of Synonyms for stifling
Adjective
-
Traffic concerns remained a prominent theme of the more than 100 emails the city received in early December, but many people expressed excitement at the prospect of a closer Costco.—
Rose Evans
January 8,
Idaho Statesman,
8 Jan. 2026
-
The Clippers raced to a 14-5 lead, but the Knicks answered with eight straight points and the game was close for the first three quarters.—
CBS News,
CBS News,
8 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
-
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
-
Local news outlets, however, reported that the actor has been in an intensive care unit at a hospital in Seoul after collapsing while choking on food at his home.—
Anna Kaufman,
USA Today,
5 Jan. 2026
-
Seven elderly men and women were hospitalized after choking on mochi in the first three days of 2026, Japan Today reported, citing the Tokyo Fire Department.—
Stephen Smith,
CBS News,
5 Jan. 2026
Verb
-
Any muscles used for movement — including those involved in speaking, chewing, swallowing, seeing, blinking, breathing and walking — can be affected.—
Desiree Anello,
PEOPLE,
10 Jan. 2026
-
To save humankind, a geophysicist living with early-onset Alzheimer’s is recruited to investigate the vast void swallowing the oceans.—
Rafa Sales Ross,
Variety,
9 Jan. 2026
Adjective
-
Flu symptoms include fever, chills, cough, sore throat, runny or stuffy nose, body aches, headache, tiredness, vomiting, and diarrhea.—
Miranda Jeyaretnam,
Time,
6 Jan. 2026
-
When exposed to mold, some people may experience no symptoms, while others may develop mild reactions such as a stuffy nose, sore throat, or cough.—
Angelica Bottaro,
Verywell Health,
6 Jan. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Stifling.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/stifling. Accessed 12 Jan. 2026.
Copy CitationLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
Share