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 /

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

stifle

²

/ ˈstaɪfəl /

noun

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

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

Origin of stifle²

C14: of unknown origin

Example Sentences

“I regret it, I regret it, I regret it,” she says now of her decision to stifle her voice.

From Washington Post

When the Packers drafted Adams, he assumed their nearly 10-year difference in age would stifle their relationship.

From Washington Post

We felt that the nation was really stifled in every way by the Senators from Mississippi, Georgia, South Carolina.

From Time

It clearly showed that granting any one arbiter, especially the government, the power to determine truth and falsehood holds the potential to stifle the truth in another way.

From Washington Post

Edith Bunker kind of did as she was told, stifled herself when she was ordered to do so.

From Washington Post

But the House approved a measure last month to stifle that proposed expansion.

From The Daily Beast

Just as goals galore have defined this World Cup in Brazil, so too have the men whose job it is to stifle and stop those goals.

From The Daily Beast

The NY Governor has set off a right-wing firestorm, standing accused of seeking to stifle free speech and political plurality.

From The Daily Beast

Good technology tends to win out over time, despite all the attempts by the old guard to stifle it.

From The Daily Beast

He again turns Medicare into a voucher program, a position he had to stifle in 2012, because Romney did not approve.

From The Daily Beast

It is as difficult at first to stifle the resentment of a wrong done to us as to retain it after many years.

From Project Gutenberg

Up the stairway shot a wavering shaft of flame; the smoke that had been rising to the vaulted dome began to sink and stifle.

From Project Gutenberg

We need only open our eyes to see the unworthy means employed by sacerdotal policy to stifle the dawning reason of men.

From Project Gutenberg

And the carpets do seem to stifle me, though you don't believe it,' declared Sarah.

From Project Gutenberg

But you'll not know till Christmas night; so stifle your curiosity.

From Project Gutenberg

Related Words

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