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
Synonyms & Similar Words
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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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Antonyms & Near Antonyms
Example Sentences
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Recent Examples of stifle
The stifling temperatures can mean dangerous conditions for correctional staff and prisoners, contributing to medical emergencies and potentially violating prisoners' Constitutional rights, a situation that can result in lawsuits that leave taxpayers responsible for legal payouts.
—
Natalie Eilbert, jsonline.com, 9 July 2025
That threshold stifles the risk of an outbreak of a highly contagious disease like measles because almost everyone has immunity.
—Jordan Smith, IndyStar, 2 July 2025
Franchising does not need to stifle creativity, or be faceless and lacking in personality - in fact a strong and collaborative franchise network can be a fantastic melting pot of ideas to fuel innovation and growth which benefits both franchisor and franchisee.
—Fiona Simpson, Forbes.com, 1 July 2025
Detractors argue the current system enforces outdated policies, stifles institutional innovation, and advances a liberal agenda, often through mandates tied to DEI initiatives.
—Garrett Shanley, Miami Herald, 26 June 2025
See All Example Sentences for stifle
Natalie Eilbert, jsonline.com, 9 July 2025
That threshold stifles the risk of an outbreak of a highly contagious disease like measles because almost everyone has immunity.
—Jordan Smith, IndyStar, 2 July 2025
Franchising does not need to stifle creativity, or be faceless and lacking in personality - in fact a strong and collaborative franchise network can be a fantastic melting pot of ideas to fuel innovation and growth which benefits both franchisor and franchisee.
—Fiona Simpson, Forbes.com, 1 July 2025
Detractors argue the current system enforces outdated policies, stifles institutional innovation, and advances a liberal agenda, often through mandates tied to DEI initiatives.
—Garrett Shanley, Miami Herald, 26 June 2025
See All Example Sentences for stifle
Recent Examples of Synonyms for stifle
Verb
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Menzies was convicted of the 1986 murder of 26-year-old Maurine Hunsaker, a married mother of three who was kidnapped, robbed, strangled, and found tied to a tree with her throat slit.—
Amanda Lee Myers,
USA Today,
11 July 2025
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Most of the victims were strangled or asphyxiated, and Gacy buried 26 of the bodies in the crawl space beneath his home; others were found in Chicago waterways, per NPR.—
Nicole Acosta,
People.com,
8 July 2025
Verb
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That same resolution created Palestine, which Israel has refused to recognize and has fought to suppress ever since.—
Sun Sentinel Editorial Board,
Sun Sentinel,
11 July 2025
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The building’s sprinkler system suppressed the flames before firefighters completed their operations, bringing the fire under control in under 30 minutes, officials said.—
Aurora Beacon-News,
Chicago Tribune,
11 July 2025
Verb
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Rutter suggests using a white noise generator to muffle the loud booms of the fireworks.—
Kelsey Monstrola,
USA Today,
24 June 2025
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As of February, staffers from DOGE had pushed top-ranking officials at the Department of Education out of their offices, rearranged the furniture and set up white noise machines to muffle their voices, according to employees at the agency.—
Lora Kolodny,Ari Levy,
CNBC,
22 Apr. 2025
Verb
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For more than a minute, audio captures the sounds of a struggle: grunting, choking.—
Miguel Torres,
AZCentral.com,
3 July 2025
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As a result, millions more children and vulnerable people will be forced to choke on toxic fumes while manufacturing executives pour more money into dying steel plants.—
MSNBC Newsweek,
MSNBC Newsweek,
1 July 2025
Verb
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In 2022, the Conservancy of Southwest Florida discovered a 115-pound python in the process of swallowing a 77-pound deer, which amounted to 66.9% of the snake’s body mass, officials said.—
Mark Price
July 11,
Miami Herald,
11 July 2025
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Symptoms usually start 6 hours to 6 days after swallowing the bacteria.—
Matt Cannon,
MSNBC Newsweek,
11 July 2025
Verb
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This lightweight leave-in conditioner is designed for all curl types, from loose waves to coily textures, and hydrates without adding a smothering layer of buildup.—
Jailynn Taylor,
Allure,
7 July 2025
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Instead, bruising inside Aria’s cheeks and cuts in her mouth consistent with being smothered to death were discovered, said Dr. Tran.—
Miami Herald,
Miami Herald,
7 July 2025
Verb
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Stevens’s reflections on his years of service reveal what’s pulsing beneath his composure: the choice to look away from troubling secrets and repress personal desires.—
Mia Barzilay Freund,
Vogue,
7 July 2025
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They were also celebrated by millions of ordinary Indians who have been repressed by Modi’s Hindu nationalist policies.—
HARTOSH SINGH BAL,
Foreign Affairs,
30 June 2025
Verb
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The unnamed mother is suing Happy Day Preschool on Paseo Boulevard after her son suffocated to death on a couch in the building, according to court documents.—
Kansas City Star,
Kansas City Star,
2 July 2025
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The discovery strengthens the case against Decker, who remains at large nearly a month after the girls were found suffocated near his vehicle.—
Gabe Whisnant,
MSNBC Newsweek,
27 June 2025
Cite this Entry
“Stifle.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/stifle. Accessed 19 Jul. 2025.
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