stifled; stifling
ˈstī-f(ə-)liŋ 
1
a
: to withhold from circulation or expression
stifled our anger
b
: to cut off (the voice, the breath, etc.)
c
: deter, discourage
: to be or become unable to breathe easily
stifling in the heat
: 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
Synonyms
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
Terry Demio, The Enquirer, 30 Oct. 2024
This is not the kind of political coordination that occurred during the COVID-19 pandemic, in which the executive branch used its power to press social media companies such as Meta to stifle questions about the origins of the virus.
—David Shedd, Foreign Affairs, 29 Oct. 2024
An environment where the rule of law is increasingly questioned, economic stability is at risk, free trade is stifled by fear of capricious retaliation, and our society is further divided rather than united, is not a good formula for a vibrant economy.
—Steven Tian, Fortune, 29 Oct. 2024
PhRMA maintains that this policy, enacted in 2022, stifles innovation and did not ask about it in the survey.
—Maya Goldman, Axios, 28 Oct. 2024
See all Example Sentences for stifle 
Verb
Why Lockland's new migrants struggle to work The immigrants here face stifling work barriers.
—Terry Demio, The Enquirer, 30 Oct. 2024
This is not the kind of political coordination that occurred during the COVID-19 pandemic, in which the executive branch used its power to press social media companies such as Meta to stifle questions about the origins of the virus.
—David Shedd, Foreign Affairs, 29 Oct. 2024
An environment where the rule of law is increasingly questioned, economic stability is at risk, free trade is stifled by fear of capricious retaliation, and our society is further divided rather than united, is not a good formula for a vibrant economy.
—Steven Tian, Fortune, 29 Oct. 2024
PhRMA maintains that this policy, enacted in 2022, stifles innovation and did not ask about it in the survey.
—Maya Goldman, Axios, 28 Oct. 2024
See all Example Sentences for stifle
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.
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Cite this Entry
“Stifle.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/stifle. Accessed 5 Nov. 2024.
Copy CitationMedical Definition
stifle
noun
sti·fle
ˈstī-fəl
: 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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