stifle

¹

[ stahy-fuhl ]

verb (used with object)

, sti·fled, sti·fling.

1. to quell, crush, or end by force: to stifle free expression.

   to stifle a revolt;

   to stifle free expression.

   Synonyms: preclude, prevent, put down

   Antonyms: encourage

2. to suppress, curb, or withhold:

   to stifle a yawn.

   Synonyms: check

   Antonyms: encourage

3. to kill by impeding respiration; smother.

   Synonyms: choke, strangle, suffocate

verb (used without object)

, sti·fled, sti·fling.

1. to suffer from difficulty in breathing, as in a close atmosphere.
2. to become stifled or suffocated.

stifle

²

[ stahy-fuhl ]

noun

1. (in a horse or other quadruped) the joint between the femur and the tibia, corresponding anatomically to the human knee.

stifle

¹

/ ˈstaɪfəl /

noun

1. the joint in the hind leg of a horse, dog, etc, between the femur and tibia

stifle

²

/ ˈstaɪfəl /

verb

1. tr to smother or suppress

   stifle a cough

2. to feel or cause to feel discomfort and difficulty in breathing
3. to prevent or be prevented from breathing so as to cause death
4. tr to crush or stamp out

Derived Forms

• ˈstifler, noun

Other Words From

• sti·fler noun

Word History and Origins

Origin of stifle¹

First recorded in 1350–1400; Middle English from Old Norse stīfla “to stop up, dam,” akin to stīfr “stiff”

Origin of stifle²

1275–1325; Middle English < ?

Word History and Origins

Origin of stifle¹

C14: of unknown origin

Origin of stifle²

C14: variant of stuflen, probably from Old French estouffer to smother

Example Sentences

In October, the FTC wrapped up a high-profile antitrust trial in Portland, aiming to block the merger over concerns it would stifle competition, particularly in smaller markets, which could lead to a spike in prices for consumers.

From Salon

“She has it all. We never want to stifle her ability to be a bucket-getter — nobody is better at that than her — but she really has a complete game. As her skill set and her pace have evolved, I just want her to make the right play again and again.”

From Los Angeles Times

Formerly a vocal Democrat, Andreessen has shifted to the right in recent years because of a belief that Trump could help remove regulations that could stifle innovation in artificial intelligence and cryptocurrency.

From Los Angeles Times

Do you see a connection between these political attempts to stifle climate change awareness and what you are experiencing by being incarcerated?

From Salon

Trump’s insane tariffs would also reignite inflation, stifle growth and leave our workers and companies struggling to keep up.

From Salon

Related Words

• curb
• muzzle
• repress
• silence
• smother
• squelch
• strangle
• suffocate
• suppress