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
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Antonyms & Near Antonyms
2
as in to suppress
to refrain from openly showing or uttering
stifled a yawn
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Antonyms & Near Antonyms
as in close
lacking fresh air
the lecture hall was stifling until we opened several windows
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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 stifle
Time, 29 Sep. 2025
That push-and-pull has often forced officials to walk a fine line of calling for change but stifling talk of gun control.
—Kacen Bayless, Kansas City Star, 29 Sep. 2025
Michael Liedtke, Fortune, 22 Sep. 2025
In junior tournaments, there can be stifling pressure on kids as young as 8.
—Don Norcross, San Diego Union-Tribune, 22 Sep. 2025
See All Example Sentences for stifle
Verb
In articles, litigation, and other public forums, leaders of those organizations argued that rather than stifle hate groups, prosecuting hate speakers would draw attention to their ideas and increase the following of these organizations.
—Time, 29 Sep. 2025
That push-and-pull has often forced officials to walk a fine line of calling for change but stifling talk of gun control.
—Kacen Bayless, Kansas City Star, 29 Sep. 2025
Verb
The Justice Department contends a breakup would be the most effective and quickest way to undercut a monopoly that has been stifling competition and innovation for years.
—Michael Liedtke, Fortune, 22 Sep. 2025
In junior tournaments, there can be stifling pressure on kids as young as 8.
—Don Norcross, San Diego Union-Tribune, 22 Sep. 2025
See All Example Sentences for stifle
Recent Examples of Synonyms for stifle
Adjective
-
Trump has previously suggested a deal was close.—
Khaleda Rahman,
MSNBC Newsweek,
1 Oct. 2025
-
The trainer visits Pegasus daily and is like the horse’s shadow during hospital visits, keeping a close eye to ensure the safety of Pegasus and those around him.—
Miami Herald,
Miami Herald,
30 Sep. 2025
Adjective
-
For Perrie Edwards, the studio can be both a sanctuary and a suffocating cocoon.—
Sophie Williams,
Billboard,
24 Sep. 2025
-
Their pass rush is suffocating and multi-faceted — Andrew Van Ginkel and Jonathan Greenard alone might be dominant enough to make Minnesota a top-10 defense in spite of a less talented secondary.—
Bennett Durando,
Denver Post,
26 Aug. 2025
Adjective
-
While this type of furniture can lend itself to a room feeling stiff and stuffy, The Douglas’ rooms feel lived in and inviting.—
Elliott Harrell,
Southern Living,
29 Sep. 2025
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Office chairs can so often feel stuffy and stiff, but in textured boucle?—
Audrey Lee,
Architectural Digest,
25 Sep. 2025
Adjective
-
Week 5 was another breathless run.—
Steven Louis Goldstein,
New York Times,
1 Oct. 2025
-
The headline is that Europe pulled off a stunning victory on foreign soil, a win that was at times breathtaking and breathless, exhilarating and excruciating in equal measure.—
Don Riddell,
CNN Money,
29 Sep. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Stifle.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/stifle. Accessed 6 Oct. 2025.
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