stifle

1 of 2

verb

sti·​fle ˈstī-fəl How to pronounce stifle (audio)
stifled; stifling ˈstī-f(ə-)liŋ How to pronounce stifle (audio)

transitive verb

1
a
: to withhold from circulation or expression
stifled our anger
b
: to cut off (the voice, the breath, etc.)
2
a(1)
: muffle
(2)
b
: to kill by depriving of oxygen : suffocate

intransitive verb

: to be or become unable to breathe easily
stifling in the heat
stifler noun
stiflingly adverb

stifle

2 of 2

noun

: the joint next above the hock in the hind leg of a quadruped (such as a horse or dog) corresponding to the human knee see horse illustration

Examples of stifle in a Sentence

Verb trying to stifle a cry I had to stifle the desire to yell “Stop!”. Students at the school are stifled by the pressure to score high on tests. Too many regulations stifle innovation. something that stifles the growth of the plant I wish we could go outside instead of stifling in this tiny room. He was almost stifled by the smoke.
Recent Examples on the Web
Verb
While these saboteurs may claim to drive us towards improvement, their relentless criticism ultimately stifles our growth and happiness. Mark Travers, Forbes, 2 Mar. 2024 Edwards stifled the all-star, effectively cutting off Memphis’ source of offense and lifting the Wolves to victory. Jace Frederick, Twin Cities, 2 Mar. 2024 Jurors choked back tears and stifled gasps as Deputy Dist. Sonja Sharp, Los Angeles Times, 1 Mar. 2024 In fact, the exhibition suggests Sargent’s famed ability to capture entire inner worlds through the shadow of a facial expression was enhanced, not stifled, by his evident interest in clothes. Leah Dolan, CNN, 1 Mar. 2024 Montrose has a stifling defense of its own, with the Red Hawks allowing just 31.9 points/game. Matt Schubert, The Denver Post, 29 Feb. 2024 Folks used it in a tragically defamatory manner to further a dangerous agenda of whitewashing American history and stifling Black experiences. Vann R. Newkirk Ii, The Atlantic, 27 Feb. 2024 Cusack said the effort continues a pattern of the mayor trying to stifle dissent. David Garrick, San Diego Union-Tribune, 21 Feb. 2024 Mary Lovely, a senior fellow at the Peterson Institute for International Economics in Washington, believes the US needs to pick its spots on protectionist measures, because too many could stifle innovation and make vehicles too expensive. Amy Stillman, Fortune, 14 Feb. 2024
Noun
These tools will help autocrats undermine democracy abroad and stifle dissent at home, and enable demagogues and populists within democracies to weaponize AI for narrow political gain at the expense of democracy and civil society. Ian Bremmer, Time, 3 Jan. 2023 That is an element that McMillan wants to develop after watching the Miami Heat stifle Young in the playoffs, giving the Hawks few other options to get the offense rolling. Paul Newberry, ajc, 24 Sep. 2022 That’s partly because Bavarians are equally opposed to market-skewing big government and monopolistic businesses, on the grounds that both stifle competition. Osha Gray Davidson, Discover Magazine, 28 May 2015 The US Department of Justice is reportedly preparing an antitrust lawsuit against Apple for abusing its market power to stifle competition. Scott Nover, Quartz, 30 Nov. 2022 Most have been imprisoned, injured, and killed by a diehard group trained by the regime to stifle dissent at all costs. Tara Kangarlou, Time, 5 Dec. 2022 Control of the Senate remains a toss-up, but even if Democrats retain control of that chamber a GOP House majority would be able stifle President Biden’s agenda. Charlie Savage, BostonGlobe.com, 18 Oct. 2022 These bills have delivered results - from tax and fee cuts to removing burdensome red tape and regulations that stifle job creators. Jessica Haire, Baltimore Sun, 24 Oct. 2022 It's made in the U.S.A. with eco-friendly materials that stifle bacteria growth. John Thompson, Men's Health, 1 Aug. 2022

These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'stifle.' Any opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.

Word History

Etymology

Verb

alteration of Middle English stuflen

Noun

Middle English

First Known Use

Verb

1513, in the meaning defined at transitive sense 2b

Noun

14th century, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of stifle was in the 14th century

Dictionary Entries Near stifle

Cite this Entry

“Stifle.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/stifle. Accessed 19 Mar. 2024.

Kids Definition

stifle

verb
sti·​fle
ˈstī-fəl
stifled; stifling
-f(ə-)liŋ
1
: to kill by depriving of or die from lack of oxygen or air : smother
2
: to keep in check by deliberate effort : repress
trying to stifle a sneeze
stiflingly
-f(ə-)liŋ-lē
adverb

Medical Definition

stifle

noun
sti·​fle ˈstī-fəl How to pronounce stifle (audio)
: the joint next above the hock in the hind leg of a quadruped (as a horse) corresponding to the knee in humans

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