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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Example Sentences
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Recent Examples of stifle
Image Last year, a public records request revealed that Mr. Kilgore had called an official in a neighboring county in an attempt to stifle criticism of the project.
—
Ben Paviour, New York Times, 19 May 2025
It’s made from a wrinkle-free blend of polyester and spandex that packs down with ease and is wearable straight from your suitcase, plus its skin-skimming shape won’t feel stifling on even the hottest days.
—Merrell Readman, Travel + Leisure, 18 May 2025
Their emotional stress had implications, such as limiting social interactions and stifling career growth.
—Melissa Willets, Parents, 16 May 2025
The Justice Department called for a breakup of Live Nation’s eponymous concert promotion arm and the ticketing giant Ticketmaster last year, claiming the company has leveraged its power in concerts and ticketing to stifle competition.
—Ethan Millman, HollywoodReporter, 15 May 2025
See All Example Sentences for stifle
Ben Paviour, New York Times, 19 May 2025
It’s made from a wrinkle-free blend of polyester and spandex that packs down with ease and is wearable straight from your suitcase, plus its skin-skimming shape won’t feel stifling on even the hottest days.
—Merrell Readman, Travel + Leisure, 18 May 2025
Their emotional stress had implications, such as limiting social interactions and stifling career growth.
—Melissa Willets, Parents, 16 May 2025
The Justice Department called for a breakup of Live Nation’s eponymous concert promotion arm and the ticketing giant Ticketmaster last year, claiming the company has leveraged its power in concerts and ticketing to stifle competition.
—Ethan Millman, HollywoodReporter, 15 May 2025
See All Example Sentences for stifle
Recent Examples of Synonyms for stifle
Verb
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According to Maggi, someone called police about 10:40 a.m. to report a man was strangling a woman in the area of Normal Avenue just west of Parks Avenue.—
Kelly Davis,
San Diego Union-Tribune,
27 May 2025
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She had been beaten about the face and neck and strangled, cops said at the time.—
Thomas Tracy,
New York Daily News,
17 May 2025
Verb
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Eight engines, three water tenders, two dozers and one hand crew are working to suppress the fire.—
CA WILDFIRE BOT,
Sacbee.com,
26 May 2025
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And in 1955, the McGee Fire burned through much of Converse Basin, consuming second-growth sequoias and demonstrating the dangers of suppressing all fires.—
Scott Travers,
Forbes.com,
24 May 2025
Verb
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As of February, staffers from DOGE had pushed top-ranking officials at the Department of Education out of their offices, rearranged the furniture and set up white noise machines to muffle their voices, according to employees at the agency.—
Lora Kolodny,Ari Levy,
CNBC,
22 Apr. 2025
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Congressional push-back is inevitable, but the promise of tens of thousands of U.S. jobs can muffle many speeches.—
Guney Yildiz,
Forbes.com,
13 May 2025
Verb
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Many of these artisans — traditionally known for their boldness and innovation — are finding ways to maintain quality and brand integrity without asking loyal customers to choke on the price.—
Gretchen Eichenberg,
FOXNews.com,
30 May 2025
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Chia seed water can be a choking hazard, so make sure the seeds are thoroughly soaked to prevent choking.—
Morgan Pearson,
Verywell Health,
26 May 2025
Verb
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The esophagus helps move swallowed food from the back of the throat to the stomach to be digested.—
Becca Longmire,
People.com,
22 May 2025
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Jokić losing the award during his most statistically impressive season makes Gilgeous-Alexander's win even harder to swallow for the Nuggets, after OKC eliminated Denver on Sunday.—
Esteban L. Hernandez,
Axios,
21 May 2025
Verb
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When Baltimore’s Francis Scott Key Bridge collapsed — killing six construction workers and sending thousands of tons of concrete and steel hurtling into the Patapsco River — Carver feared that the foundation’s nearby oyster reef would be smothered beneath the sediment and debris.—
Christine Condon,
Baltimore Sun,
24 May 2025
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As a sickly boy raised by two women, young Darin was smothered with affection.—
Jordan Runtagh,
People.com,
22 May 2025
Verb
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Abscisic acid kick-starts a cascade of biochemical reactions that repress cell division and growth, while gibberellin has the opposite effect.—
Katarina Zimmer,
Smithsonian Magazine,
2 May 2025
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They can be removed, added and relocated to activate certain genes and repress others.—
Viviane Callier,
Quanta Magazine,
21 Mar. 2025
Verb
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Flush it or suffocate it with tape Worst: Crush it to death Ticks can be difficult to kill.—
Angela Haupt,
Time,
30 May 2025
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The mother accuses Poppy's Playhouse of not properly training its employees and failing to recognize that her son was suffocating or had suffocated.—
Jonathan Limehouse,
USA Today,
23 May 2025
Cite this Entry
“Stifle.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/stifle. Accessed 3 Jun. 2025.
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