as in suppressed
Synonyms & Similar Words
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Antonyms & Near Antonyms
1
as in strangled
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 swallowed
to refrain from openly showing or uttering
stifled a yawn
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
3
as in muffled
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 stifled
James L. Edwards Iii, The Athletic, 4 Jan. 2025
When his scoring is stifled, Edwards will often lose focus in other areas.
—Jon Krawczynski, The Athletic, 3 Jan. 2025
Georgia still got a field goal but the penalty may have stifled momentum.
—Seth Emerson, The Athletic, 2 Jan. 2025
This shame promotes a culture where the potential for innovation is stifled, and opportunities for meaningful collaboration are missed.
—Jessica A. Stansbury, Baltimore Sun, 29 Dec. 2024
Baltimore’s ascendant defense, meanwhile, stifled the Texans all game, holding Stroud to 17 of 31 passing for 185 yards while sacking him five times.
—Brian Wacker, Orlando Sentinel, 26 Dec. 2024
Women Want Choices—Let’s Give Them In highly regulated fields like healthcare, innovation can feel stifled.
—Mallory Walsh, Forbes, 23 Dec. 2024
But Schell worries that this mindset has stifled innovation, and prevented avalanche centers from discovering better models for funding and management.
—Frederick Dreier, Outside Online, 23 Dec. 2024
This isolation has obliterated economic opportunities, stifled private-sector activity, and curtailed the country’s exposure to global markets, all of which are vital for economic recovery.
—Karam Shaar, Foreign Affairs, 20 Dec. 2024
Verb
The duo along with Josh Hart stifled the Thunder, holding them to 8-of-21 shooting in the second quarter.
—James L. Edwards Iii, The Athletic, 4 Jan. 2025
When his scoring is stifled, Edwards will often lose focus in other areas.
—Jon Krawczynski, The Athletic, 3 Jan. 2025
Georgia still got a field goal but the penalty may have stifled momentum.
—Seth Emerson, The Athletic, 2 Jan. 2025
This shame promotes a culture where the potential for innovation is stifled, and opportunities for meaningful collaboration are missed.
—Jessica A. Stansbury, Baltimore Sun, 29 Dec. 2024
Baltimore’s ascendant defense, meanwhile, stifled the Texans all game, holding Stroud to 17 of 31 passing for 185 yards while sacking him five times.
—Brian Wacker, Orlando Sentinel, 26 Dec. 2024
Women Want Choices—Let’s Give Them In highly regulated fields like healthcare, innovation can feel stifled.
—Mallory Walsh, Forbes, 23 Dec. 2024
But Schell worries that this mindset has stifled innovation, and prevented avalanche centers from discovering better models for funding and management.
—Frederick Dreier, Outside Online, 23 Dec. 2024
This isolation has obliterated economic opportunities, stifled private-sector activity, and curtailed the country’s exposure to global markets, all of which are vital for economic recovery.
—Karam Shaar, Foreign Affairs, 20 Dec. 2024
Recent Examples of Synonyms for stifled
Verb
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Israel also says its large-scale airstrikes and ground operations in Lebanon have strangled Hezbollah, cutting off Iran's access to what was once a formidable political and militant force on Israel's northern border.—
Josh Hammer,
Newsweek,
23 Dec. 2024
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Several hours later, she was found dead in her own home – bludgeoned and strangled.—
Erin Moriarty,
CBS News,
21 Dec. 2024
Verb
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Caspar suppressed his urge to respond.—
Brandon Taylor,
The Atlantic,
4 Jan. 2025
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Ukrainians are uncovering their country’s culinary history – and how its distinctive features were suppressed by the authorities during Soviet rule.—
Howard LaFranchi,
The Christian Science Monitor,
30 Dec. 2024
Adjective
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But the public calls against Hamas, which has long repressed dissent and still rules the territory months into the war with Israel, were rare.—
Samy Magdy,
Los Angeles Times,
26 Mar. 2025
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But the scientific community disagrees about the existence of the phenomenon of repressed memory.—
Gabrielle Principe,
The Conversation,
24 Mar. 2025
Verb
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Jung-bae wound up in a room of three, with Player 001 and some rando — but Player 001 choked the stranger to death in time to reduce their head count, shocking Jung-bae more than a bit.—
Matt Webb Mitovich,
TVLine,
26 Dec. 2024
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Hawkins Point had historically been used as a defensive boundary and was sacrificed to keep Baltimore safe from the toxicity that choked residents while allowing the city to benefit from the income industries brought in.—
Larkin Gallup,
Baltimore Sun,
21 Dec. 2024
Verb
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Tiny batteries used to power items like remote controls or small electronic toys are extremely dangerous if swallowed.—
Ryan Murphy,
The Indianapolis Star,
24 Dec. 2024
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But when they're swallowed, those beads quickly expand to many times their original size, causing bowel blockages.—
Ryan Murphy,
The Indianapolis Star,
24 Dec. 2024
Verb
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December was particularly muted in China, pulling in $321 million, ranking as the eighth-best month of the year and falling 46% short of pre-pandemic levels.—
Naman Ramachandran,
Variety,
8 Jan. 2025
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They’re muted, less sticky, so attention clings to them less.—
Oshan Jarow,
Vox,
8 Jan. 2025
Adjective
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Amazon’s Big Spring Sale features slashed prices on terrific hidden gems, such as facial massagers, electric scooters, espresso machines, golf rangefiners, and more.—
BestReviews,
Chicago Tribune,
27 Mar. 2025
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The millionaire must keep their identity secret while completing hidden agendas assigned by host Peter Serafinowicz.—
Jenzia Burgos,
StyleCaster,
27 Mar. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Stifled.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/stifled. Accessed 8 Apr. 2025.
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