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
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to
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Recent Examples of stifling
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
ABC News,
2 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
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
The governor has raised concerns that the tax would drive the state’s wealthiest residents out of California, doing long-term damage to the state’s tax base and stifling innovation.
—
Grace Hase,
Mercury News,
26 June 2026
Waves of terrorist attacks, clashes between farmers and herders, as well as kidnappings for ransom have bedeviled Nigerian citizens in recent years, stifling economic growth and productivity in many parts of the country.
—
Alexander Onukwue,
semafor.com,
26 June 2026
Candor, without the balance of Humility, Temperance, and Collaboration, risks hardening into rigidity, creating blind spots and stifling relationships.
—
Mary Crossan,
Forbes.com,
23 June 2026
Lynn told me that Colson shared his father’s moodiness, if not his stifling conservatism.
—
Julian Lucas,
New Yorker,
22 June 2026
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
The 34 measures include cuts to income tax for low- and middle income families, an overhaul of the creaking pension system, tougher rules for employees' sick leave and a reduction of the country's stifling bureaucracy.
—
ABC News,
2 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
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
The governor has raised concerns that the tax would drive the state’s wealthiest residents out of California, doing long-term damage to the state’s tax base and stifling innovation.
—
Grace Hase,
Mercury News,
26 June 2026
Waves of terrorist attacks, clashes between farmers and herders, as well as kidnappings for ransom have bedeviled Nigerian citizens in recent years, stifling economic growth and productivity in many parts of the country.
—
Alexander Onukwue,
semafor.com,
26 June 2026
Candor, without the balance of Humility, Temperance, and Collaboration, risks hardening into rigidity, creating blind spots and stifling relationships.
—
Mary Crossan,
Forbes.com,
23 June 2026
Lynn told me that Colson shared his father’s moodiness, if not his stifling conservatism.
—
Julian Lucas,
New Yorker,
22 June 2026
Recent Examples of Synonyms for stifling
Adjective
-
Even though talks with the Boston Red Sox at last year’s deadline never got close, the confusion provided by an incorrect tweet announcing Ryan’s trade to New England put the pitcher at the top of every trade list before the season even began.
-
Ashley Smith is the manager of player engagement for the NFL, and the siblings are close.
Verb
-
Not cut the taxes strangling working families and British business.
-
Instead of having a thousand flowers bloom, a thousand weeds end up strangling them.
Verb
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Ukrainian forces can now detect and strike Russian troops day and night, often suppressing positions before infantry move in.
-
The migrating dust can move from the African desert more than 5,000 miles westward over the Atlantic and is known for suppressing rainfall and conditions that support hurricanes.
Verb
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Patmos would divide the open warehouse space into smaller rooms, add pipes and support infrastructure and install sound-muffling materials.
-
The sound-muffling fabrics, carpets, ceiling tiles, tablecloths and rugs that used to decorate restaurants are deemed too stuffy these days, and even upholstered booths are being replaced by more barebones tables — and lots of them, close together.
Adjective
-
The Valkyries won their third straight game, defeating the Sparks 78-58 behind a suffocating defensive performance.
-
The Fleet played a suffocating style of hockey, with a strong forecheck and the ability to wear down opponents with relentless offensive-zone pressure.
Verb
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This practice carries risks, such as choking and aspiration, or food entering the airway.
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Eddie Jenkins had been arrested for domestic battery for allegedly choking Kiara Jenkins in 2009, prosecutors said.
Verb
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Esophagus During a contest, swallowing occurs almost continuously as large amounts of food and water repeatedly stretch the esophagus.
-
Three of the reports stemmed from consumers swallowing the metal pieces and seeking medical treatment to remove them from their digestive tract or throat, the agency said.
Adjective
-
Elevated basics like these make any outfit look more done-up without feeling stuffy.
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The service The service is exceptional and personal without being stuffy.
Cite this Entry
“Stifling.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/stifling. Accessed 6 Jul. 2026.
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