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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Example Sentences
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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
Sam Knight, New Yorker, 1 June 2026
Everyone was very, very, very religious, but specifically Christianity and Catholicism, which in my opinion are very stifling religions that are very God-fearing.
—Louis Staples, Glamour, 27 May 2026
Since the party rose to power in 2014, with Prime Minister Narendra Modi at the helm, critics have accused it of stifling civil liberties and the press, pursuing a Hindu-first agenda, and inflaming religious divisions within India’s secular democracy.
—Rhea Mogul, CNN Money, 22 May 2026
In a new statement, Kalshi spokesperson Elisabeth Diana emphasizes the company’s position that prediction markets can be additive to the reality TV experience, creating excitement rather than stifling viewership.
—Selome Hailu, Variety, 22 May 2026
Proponents of alternative insurance argue that stifling these more affordable options will just increase the ranks of those without any coverage.
—Sarah Kwon, CBS News, 20 May 2026
The open-source software movement, partly a political project to protect the freedom to tinker and prevent corporate oligarchies from stifling innovation, would become a cornerstone of the technology industry.
—Jonathan Weber, Fortune, 19 May 2026
If the temperature in your home is stifling, stay low to the ground.
—Hallie Milstein, Southern Living, 18 May 2026
This aesthetic approach is in sharp contrast to the film’s otherwise crisp digital images, courtesy of the Alexa 35, which render Las Cruces into a lyrical, longing landscape evoking entire histories, in all its deep blues and soft yet stifling oranges.
—Lé Baltar, IndieWire, 17 May 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
Players from the top European teams, like Real Madrid and Paris Saint-Germain, had already played sixty matches during their regular seasons, before taking to pitches in heat-dome temperatures of ninety-seven degrees and stifling humidity.
—Sam Knight, New Yorker, 1 June 2026
Everyone was very, very, very religious, but specifically Christianity and Catholicism, which in my opinion are very stifling religions that are very God-fearing.
—Louis Staples, Glamour, 27 May 2026
Since the party rose to power in 2014, with Prime Minister Narendra Modi at the helm, critics have accused it of stifling civil liberties and the press, pursuing a Hindu-first agenda, and inflaming religious divisions within India’s secular democracy.
—Rhea Mogul, CNN Money, 22 May 2026
In a new statement, Kalshi spokesperson Elisabeth Diana emphasizes the company’s position that prediction markets can be additive to the reality TV experience, creating excitement rather than stifling viewership.
—Selome Hailu, Variety, 22 May 2026
Proponents of alternative insurance argue that stifling these more affordable options will just increase the ranks of those without any coverage.
—Sarah Kwon, CBS News, 20 May 2026
The open-source software movement, partly a political project to protect the freedom to tinker and prevent corporate oligarchies from stifling innovation, would become a cornerstone of the technology industry.
—Jonathan Weber, Fortune, 19 May 2026
If the temperature in your home is stifling, stay low to the ground.
—Hallie Milstein, Southern Living, 18 May 2026
This aesthetic approach is in sharp contrast to the film’s otherwise crisp digital images, courtesy of the Alexa 35, which render Las Cruces into a lyrical, longing landscape evoking entire histories, in all its deep blues and soft yet stifling oranges.
—Lé Baltar, IndieWire, 17 May 2026
Recent Examples of Synonyms for stifling
Adjective
-
But these suites are also closest to the elevators, and the historic walls don’t adequately muffle the sounds of other guests.—
Condé Nast,
Condé Nast Traveler,
3 June 2026
-
Gertrud would keep the girls close, one on either side.—
Literary Hub,
Literary Hub,
3 June 2026
Verb
-
Prosecutors declined to file charges and Saenz was later granted a permanent restraining order against that ex-boyfriend, according to court records, after he was convicted of battering and strangling her.—
Shira Moolten,
Sun Sentinel,
4 June 2026
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The Idaho case and many others — including a 2024 dorm room strangling and a 1990 Florida college town serial killer who inspired the Scream franchise — reflect the far-reaching effects of these crimes.—
Corin Cesaric,
PEOPLE,
2 June 2026
Verb
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Others at risk are those taking medication to decrease stomach acid levels, those receiving immune-suppressing therapy or anyone who had recent stomach surgery.—
Vanessa Etienne,
PEOPLE,
1 June 2026
-
Identifying and naming my jealousy has done far more for me than suppressing it ever did.—
Meehika Barua,
Time,
29 May 2026
Verb
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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.—
Allyson Reedy,
Denver Post,
13 May 2026
-
Their flexible design fits snugly into ears, muffling plane engine sounds and loud conversations.—
Sian Babish,
PEOPLE,
13 May 2026
Adjective
-
Following a first week marked by a suffocating heatwave, relief finally arrived in Paris on Sunday, with temperatures dropping to 21 degrees C (70 F) around midday.—
ABC News,
ABC News,
31 May 2026
-
This matchup features two ascendant young stars in Shai Gilgeous-Alexander and Victor Wembanyama (who finished first and third in MVP voting, respectively), exciting young talent, a legitimate regional rivalry and two suffocating defenses.—
Greg Rosenstein,
NBC news,
18 May 2026
Verb
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Now she is stuck with three long term leases choking her cash flow like a noose around her neck.—
George Deeb,
Forbes.com,
30 May 2026
-
Keaton’s friend, director Dennis Dugan, was at risk of choking to death when a bit of food got lodged in his throat.—
Skyler Trepel,
Entertainment Weekly,
30 May 2026
Verb
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One very rare risk is Naegleria fowleri, which can infect people when contaminated warm freshwater enters the nose—not from swallowing water.—
Mira Miller,
Verywell Health,
1 June 2026
-
Avoid swallowing water or getting it up your nose while swimming to lower your risk of giardia and other waterborne parasites.—
Justin Laube,
EverydayHealth.com,
1 June 2026
Adjective
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This means the majority of people with seasonal allergies will experience strong symptoms including sneezing, runny or stuffy nose, watery eyes and a postnasal drip.—
Stephen Underwood,
Hartford Courant,
29 May 2026
-
Heidi Caillier—the AD100 talent behind Kendall Jenner’s mountain home—is known for her ability to devise magical design moments that feel nostalgic and layered without seeming too stuffy or obvious.—
Julia Harrison,
Architectural Digest,
28 May 2026
Cite this Entry
“Stifling.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/stifling. Accessed 8 Jun. 2026.
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