1
as in to strangle
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
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Antonyms & Near Antonyms
2
as in to suppress
to refrain from openly showing or uttering
stifled a yawn
Synonyms & Similar Words
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
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Recent Examples of stifle
Wayne T Brough, Oc Register, 29 May 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
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
See All Example Sentences for stifle
Verb
Keeping drugs affordable requires Congress to address anticompetitive tactics by brand manufacturers to stifle competition.
—Wayne T Brough, Oc Register, 29 May 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
Verb
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
See All Example Sentences for stifle
Recent Examples of Synonyms for stifle
Verb
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Angel Guzman, 31, of Los Angeles, was among the four members of the gang MS-13 convicted of murdering three people, one of whom was kidnapped, strangled, attacked with machetes and dismembered, in the Angeles National Forest, federal authorities said.—
Arkansas Online,
Arkansas Online,
7 June 2026
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An argument over rent money ended violently for a Miami Beach woman when her ex-boyfriend strangled her, held her against her will and threatened to throw her out of a window from their third-floor apartment, police say.—
Devoun Cetoute,
Miami Herald,
6 June 2026
Verb
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Economists have cautioned that the US-Israeli war with Iran and the related oil and supply shock could suppress hiring activity in the United States.—
Alicia Wallace,
CNN Money,
2 June 2026
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His puck-moving play was completely suppressed in the offensive zone, too.—
Shayna Goldman,
New York Times,
2 June 2026
Verb
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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
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Nolan's team and IMAX worked together to create a special housing for the camera to muffle the sound of its operation.—
Will Croxton,
CBS News,
17 May 2026
Verb
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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
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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
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Their flexible design fits snugly into ears, muffling plane engine sounds and loud conversations.—
Sian Babish,
PEOPLE,
13 May 2026
Verb
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Hilton has raised crucial issues about Newsom’s overspending, low state K-12 test scores, high taxes choking the middle class, high gas prices and the endemic housing and homelessness crises.—
John Seiler,
Oc Register,
29 May 2026
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As discomforting as that sounds, there is no proof the 7-foot, 9-inch dolphin choked to death, according to Lauren Rust, executive director of the Lowcountry Marine Mammal Network and South Carolina Marine Mammal Stranding Coordinator.—
Mark Price,
Charlotte Observer,
29 May 2026
Verb
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Johns founded the university's voice center in 2017 in order to help people experiencing issues with their voices, swallowing or airways and improve their quality of life.—
Rachel Raposas,
PEOPLE,
6 June 2026
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What makes that pill even harder to swallow is that archrival Florida State went on to play in the BCS National Championship despite the loss to the Hurricanes in October.—
Austin Perry OutKick,
FOXNews.com,
6 June 2026
Cite this Entry
“Stifle.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/stifle. Accessed 10 Jun. 2026.
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