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
Literary Hub, 17 Feb. 2026
Expanding your team, shouldering more projects, and growing your office space may seem like natural progressions for a successful studio—but AD100 designer Miles Redd believes that accruing too much overhead can actually be stifling.
—Ad Pro, Architectural Digest, 17 Feb. 2026
In response to the online backlash against the festival, Berlinale director Tricia Tuttle put out a statement pushing back on the claims that Berlin was stifling free speech.
—Scott Roxborough, HollywoodReporter, 17 Feb. 2026
Overcoming a 27-20 deficit midway through the third period, ESD found some offense and used a stifling defense, outscoring Cooper 16-3 the remainder of the quarter until less than a minute remained in the contest.
—Mike Waters, Dallas Morning News, 14 Feb. 2026
Texas’ biggest challenge is skyrocketing property taxes forcing families from their homes and stifling opportunity—while career politicians offer excuses instead of solutions.
—Eleanor Dearman, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 14 Feb. 2026
The Seahawks defensive front was stifling, sacking Patriots second-year quarterback Drake Maye six times.
—CBS News, 9 Feb. 2026
The Wolverines’ school-record nine-game winning streak in Big Ten games was snapped by a big and experienced team that plays stifling defense and is led by a 6-foot-7 preseason All-America center who does it all.
—Los Angeles Times, 8 Feb. 2026
That influx of Chinese imports could be making its way to American shores—and, in the process, stifling the growth of local industry in the African markets.
—Kate Nishimura, Sourcing Journal, 5 Feb. 2026
Verb
The soul singer left the stifling Mississippi heat for cool Minneapolis in 1955.
—Literary Hub, 17 Feb. 2026
Expanding your team, shouldering more projects, and growing your office space may seem like natural progressions for a successful studio—but AD100 designer Miles Redd believes that accruing too much overhead can actually be stifling.
—Ad Pro, Architectural Digest, 17 Feb. 2026
In response to the online backlash against the festival, Berlinale director Tricia Tuttle put out a statement pushing back on the claims that Berlin was stifling free speech.
—Scott Roxborough, HollywoodReporter, 17 Feb. 2026
Overcoming a 27-20 deficit midway through the third period, ESD found some offense and used a stifling defense, outscoring Cooper 16-3 the remainder of the quarter until less than a minute remained in the contest.
—Mike Waters, Dallas Morning News, 14 Feb. 2026
Texas’ biggest challenge is skyrocketing property taxes forcing families from their homes and stifling opportunity—while career politicians offer excuses instead of solutions.
—Eleanor Dearman, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 14 Feb. 2026
The Seahawks defensive front was stifling, sacking Patriots second-year quarterback Drake Maye six times.
—CBS News, 9 Feb. 2026
The Wolverines’ school-record nine-game winning streak in Big Ten games was snapped by a big and experienced team that plays stifling defense and is led by a 6-foot-7 preseason All-America center who does it all.
—Los Angeles Times, 8 Feb. 2026
That influx of Chinese imports could be making its way to American shores—and, in the process, stifling the growth of local industry in the African markets.
—Kate Nishimura, Sourcing Journal, 5 Feb. 2026
Recent Examples of Synonyms for stifling
Adjective
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Another category that would likely unnerve boards of directors, according to Minow, is close ties with Epstein following his controversial 2008 guilty plea to procuring a minor for prostitution.—
Matt Egan,
CNN Money,
18 Feb. 2026
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With Jackson’s death Tuesday, leaders across the region reflected on a legacy that helped shape a generation of local activism and public service — none more so than Oakland Mayor Barbara Lee, a close friend for more than five decades.—
Grant Stringer,
Mercury News,
18 Feb. 2026
Verb
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Becky is dehydrated and delirious, but manages to nourish herself after strangling and eating a vulture that attacked her on the platform.—
Randall Colburn,
Entertainment Weekly,
20 Feb. 2026
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With a three-decade record of violent crime that includes strangling a pregnant woman and firing a shotgun under a person's chin, McKay was scheduled to stand trial next month on methamphetamine trafficking charges that could have locked him up for 25 years.—
ABC News,
ABC News,
19 Feb. 2026
Verb
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The big-wave surfer Laird Hamilton, for example, uses ice-bath plunges to rehearse suppressing panic and practice self-calming.—
Sally Jenkins,
The Atlantic,
21 Feb. 2026
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But Vance’s false accusations at last year’s conference – that Europe is suppressing freedom of speech and democracy, and facing civilizational decline – are now enshrined in US national security strategy.—
Nick Paton Walsh,
CNN Money,
15 Feb. 2026
Verb
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In addition, six interchanges were reconfigured and 7 miles of noise-muffling walls were installed.—
Eleanor Nash,
Kansas City Star,
3 Feb. 2026
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Kubiak found that easy to navigate with a conservative game plan in the season finale at the 49ers with a rushing attack that had 39 attempts for 180 yards while the Seahawks’ defense was muffling the opposition.—
Jerry McDonald,
Mercury News,
14 Jan. 2026
Adjective
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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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Patients usually experience severe disability within three to five years of symptoms beginning and may experience complications including choking, pneumonia or head injuries from falls.—
Mary Kekatos,
ABC News,
17 Feb. 2026
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The characteristics and size of the small starch clumps could constitute a choking hazard, said Mondelez Global, which owns the brand, particularly in young children and the elderly.—
Michelle Del Rey,
USA Today,
6 Feb. 2026
Verb
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Progressive supranuclear palsy is a rare brain disease that affects body movements, walking and balance, eye movements and swallowing, according to the Mayo Clinic.—
Bebe Hodges,
Cincinnati Enquirer,
17 Feb. 2026
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Progressive supranuclear palsy, also known as Steele-Richardson-Olszewski syndrome, is a rare neurological disorder that impacts walking, balance, eye movement and swallowing, according to the Mayo Clinic.—
Jeanine Santucci,
USA Today,
17 Feb. 2026
Adjective
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Those who have stuffy sinuses know how difficult sleeping can be when there’s no relief.—
BestReviews,
Mercury News,
17 Feb. 2026
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Rooms are luxurious without feeling stuffy, and staff members have been known to indulge dogs with extra treats.—
Tara Massouleh McCay,
Southern Living,
16 Feb. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Stifling.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/stifling. Accessed 22 Feb. 2026.
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