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
Blanket sanctions against such tools risk stifling legitimate use cases in the name of curbing illicit activity.
—
Becca Bratcher, Forbes, 21 Mar. 2025
Yet with the government controlling the judiciary, stifling independent media, and weaponizing state institutions to weaken its opponents, electoral competition is far from fair.
—Gonul Tol, Foreign Affairs, 21 Mar. 2025
It is further brought to life on the Hulu adaptation of the same name, depicting a barren, stifling land of muted colors and brutal conditions.
—Kevin Jacobsen, EW.com, 20 Mar. 2025
This misuse of the legal system stifles legitimate dissent and must be seen as a direct threat to environmental justice and democratic freedoms.
—Seiji Yamashita, CBS News, 19 Mar. 2025
See All Example Sentences for stifle
Becca Bratcher, Forbes, 21 Mar. 2025
Yet with the government controlling the judiciary, stifling independent media, and weaponizing state institutions to weaken its opponents, electoral competition is far from fair.
—Gonul Tol, Foreign Affairs, 21 Mar. 2025
It is further brought to life on the Hulu adaptation of the same name, depicting a barren, stifling land of muted colors and brutal conditions.
—Kevin Jacobsen, EW.com, 20 Mar. 2025
This misuse of the legal system stifles legitimate dissent and must be seen as a direct threat to environmental justice and democratic freedoms.
—Seiji Yamashita, CBS News, 19 Mar. 2025
See All Example Sentences for stifle
Recent Examples of Synonyms for stifle
Verb
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Tanzi drove to the Florida Keys, strangled Acosta and disposed of her body in a secluded area, the documents said.—
Jim Saunders,
The Orlando Sentinel,
28 Mar. 2025
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The 47-year-old was pronounced dead on scene, and detectives later determined Jamison had been strangled, police said.—
Daniella Segura,
Sacbee.com,
27 Mar. 2025
Verb
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To tell the Blue Devils, basically, not to suppress their emotions.—
Brendan Marks,
New York Times,
27 Mar. 2025
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The new, later Equal Pay Day marks a troubling reminder of how systemic barriers—ranging from occupational segregation to discrimination in hiring and promotion—continue to suppress the earning power of Black women.—
Jasmine Browley,
Essence,
25 Mar. 2025
Verb
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Don’t: Rely on Just a Sleep Mask Instead: Use Reusable Ear Plugs, Too $29 at Amazon For anyone who needs silence to fall asleep, Young recommends packing a pair of ear plugs to muffle any distracting noises.—
Rylee Johnston,
Travel + Leisure,
5 Mar. 2025
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The suspect cut into the lock just as a train entered the station to muffle the sound, the video shows.—
Thomas Tracy,
New York Daily News,
14 Feb. 2025
Verb
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Some of the aspiring stars who blew away the judges in the auditions round choked and failed to give their best showings, which led to the end of the road for standouts like Landynn Kennedy, Sam Sparks and Mikaela Bautista.—
KiMi Robinson,
USA Today,
1 Apr. 2025
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The move comes on the heels of the police report Stern filed claiming that a March 11 encounter at the Beverly Hills Hotel started out consensually but ended with Tate choking her nearly unconscious.—
Theresa Braine,
New York Daily News,
27 Mar. 2025
Verb
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Sometimes legitimate professional prospects would choose to stay and play at a local school rather than be swallowed up ...—
Christian Schneider,
National Review,
27 Mar. 2025
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Instead, the power conferences could use their success this month as justification for not only expanding the NCAAs but swallowing all the extra bids.—
Jon Wilner,
Mercury News,
24 Mar. 2025
Verb
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It’s smothered with American cheese and served with lettuce, tomato and griddled onion on a hoagie roll.—
Jared Kaufman,
Twin Cities,
20 Mar. 2025
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Ohtani was only able to advance to second base as Happ smothered the ball and fired it into the infield quickly.—
Ryan Canfield,
Fox News,
18 Mar. 2025
Verb
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However, this ever-growing use of technology to repress women and girls in the country also shows that women and girls continue to fight for their freedoms.—
Dr. Ewelina U. Ochab,
Forbes,
16 Mar. 2025
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The parents draw us into their earnest struggle to repress their horror at their children’s deviations from religious norms.—
Judith Shulevitz,
The Atlantic,
16 Mar. 2025
Verb
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The Tar Heels' defense was suffocating against West Virginia, holding them to a paltry 13-for-54 (24.1%) from the field and just 2-for-21 (9.5%) from the 3-point line.—
Ron Estes,
MSNBC Newsweek,
28 Mar. 2025
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Zombie embraces slow, creeping tension, often holding shots for longer than expected, forcing the audience to marinate in the film’s suffocating atmosphere.—
Travis Bean,
Forbes,
22 Mar. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Stifle.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/stifle. Accessed 5 Apr. 2025.
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