as in close
lacking fresh air
the lecture hall was stifling until we opened several windows
Synonyms & Similar Words
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Antonyms & Near Antonyms
1
as in strangling
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 suppressing
to refrain from openly showing or uttering
stifled a yawn
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Antonyms & Near Antonyms
3
as in muffling
to deaden the sound of
he stifled a cough with his hand
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Antonyms & Near Antonyms
Examples Sentences
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Recent Examples of stifling
Mark Travers, Forbes, 5 Jan. 2025
The core of their legal challenge revolves around claims that the charter agreement breaches antitrust laws by stifling competition.
—Dan Perry, Newsweek, 3 Jan. 2025
Will the courts uphold the rule, potentially stifling a sector with transformative potential?
—Sandy Carter, Forbes, 3 Jan. 2025
For a player who has always shown so much energy and joy on the court, searching for offense with this new roster has proven to be stifling.
—Jon Krawczynski, The Athletic, 3 Jan. 2025
Some are now fearful Republicans are beginning to try to weaponize that small-dollar model against them, further stifling their ascent.
—Hanna Trudo, The Hill, 2 Jan. 2025
Oregon, on the other hand, struggled to sustain drives, scoring only once before the half and failing to get much going against Ohio State’s stifling defense.
—Anthony De Leon, Los Angeles Times, 2 Jan. 2025
This creates a lack of physical and emotional space in the relationship that can be stifling for their partner.
—Mark Travers, Forbes, 29 Dec. 2024
Relationships aren’t one-size-fits-all, and the rigid script of perfect date nights, grand romantic gestures and flawless communication can feel stifling.
—Mark Travers, Forbes, 29 Dec. 2024
Verb
However, a lack of autonomy growing up can strongly trigger the need for independence and reinforce negative attitudes about how future relationships may continue to be stifling.
—Mark Travers, Forbes, 5 Jan. 2025
The core of their legal challenge revolves around claims that the charter agreement breaches antitrust laws by stifling competition.
—Dan Perry, Newsweek, 3 Jan. 2025
Will the courts uphold the rule, potentially stifling a sector with transformative potential?
—Sandy Carter, Forbes, 3 Jan. 2025
For a player who has always shown so much energy and joy on the court, searching for offense with this new roster has proven to be stifling.
—Jon Krawczynski, The Athletic, 3 Jan. 2025
Some are now fearful Republicans are beginning to try to weaponize that small-dollar model against them, further stifling their ascent.
—Hanna Trudo, The Hill, 2 Jan. 2025
Oregon, on the other hand, struggled to sustain drives, scoring only once before the half and failing to get much going against Ohio State’s stifling defense.
—Anthony De Leon, Los Angeles Times, 2 Jan. 2025
This creates a lack of physical and emotional space in the relationship that can be stifling for their partner.
—Mark Travers, Forbes, 29 Dec. 2024
Relationships aren’t one-size-fits-all, and the rigid script of perfect date nights, grand romantic gestures and flawless communication can feel stifling.
—Mark Travers, Forbes, 29 Dec. 2024
Recent Examples of Synonyms for stifling
Adjective
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Advertisement President Biden, who has a close relationship with Newsom, has pledged that the federal government will cover 100% of disaster assistance costs to California for the next 180 days.Julia Wick, Los Angeles Times, 12 Jan. 2025
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Coincidentally, the Phillies signed former Blue Jays closer Jordan Romano after Toronto non-tendered him.Daniel R. Depetris, Newsweek, 11 Jan. 2025
Verb
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He had been arrested for allegedly strangling his then-girlfriend, Johnny Faye Cartwright, in 2020.J. Kim Murphy, Variety, 4 Jan. 2025
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His trouble with the law began in 2020, when he was arrested for allegedly strangling his girlfriend at an Oregon home.Julia Moore, People.com, 3 Jan. 2025
Verb
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Ice protects fish eggs by suppressing winds and waves that can stir up the sediment, reducing the number of fish that hatch in the spring.Caitlin Looby, Journal Sentinel, 23 Dec. 2024
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His approach promises a more collaborative regulatory framework, fostering innovation rather than suppressing it.Leeor Shimron, Forbes, 23 Dec. 2024
Adjective
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Can the art of opera ever escape the suffocating grip of its magnificent past?Ian Crouch, The New Yorker, 31 Dec. 2024
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And congestion pricing will boost our economy by liberating people, goods and services from the most suffocating traffic tie-ups in the entire country.Jerry Nadler, New York Daily News, 13 Dec. 2024
Verb
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Cut smaller kids' meals into little bites to prevent choking.Ryan Murphy, The Indianapolis Star, 24 Dec. 2024
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Thomas Conley, a second-grade student at Porter Elementary School in Mesa, Arizona, noticed that his friend was choking on a grape and sprang into action, according to local reports.Melissa Rudy, Fox News, 23 Dec. 2024
Verb
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Kids older than one year can be given honey to help neutralize the damage, but swallowing a button battery is a life-threatening emergency for which parents should immediately seek medical care.Ryan Murphy, The Indianapolis Star, 24 Dec. 2024
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Symptoms include general weakness, muscle weakness, dizziness, double-vision, abdominal tension, constipation, trouble with speaking or swallowing and difficulty in breathing.Josh Hammer, Newsweek, 23 Dec. 2024
Adjective
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One key to that, Gaultier said, is density of people without letting the space feel too stuffy.Hadley Hitson, The Tennessean, 10 Dec. 2024
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Bingo! Alivia's tantrum hack—to keep things lighthearted—is a simple one, but a great reminder that not everything has to be so stuffy.Tanay Howard, Parents, 8 Oct. 2024
Adjective
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Moore sprinted down the field in celebration of his game-saving play with 29 seconds left that gave UCLA an unexpectedly breathless 27-20 victory.Ben Bolch, Los Angeles Times, 2 Nov. 2024
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Jerry Coyne has a post up which critiques an extremely breathless review of a new book, Epigenetics Revolution.Razib Khan, Discover Magazine, 24 Aug. 2011
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Cite this Entry
“Stifling.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/stifling. Accessed 20 Jan. 2025.
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