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
Matt Schubert, The Denver Post, 6 Nov. 2024
These employees say the lack of AI adoption is stifling their productivity.
—Diane Brady, Fortune, 4 Nov. 2024
To simply cut these people with abandon (and replace others with political appointees) could have severe consequences, such as stifling disaster response and increasing the likelihood of corruption.
—Charlie Warzel, The Atlantic, 4 Nov. 2024
The appeals court agreed, saying that protecting the elements could stifle creativity, and that Sheeran's and Gaye's songs were not similar enough for Sheeran's to have infringed on Structured Asset Sales' copyright.
—Blake Brittain, USA TODAY, 1 Nov. 2024
See all Example Sentences for stifle 
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to
show current usage.
Read More
Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors.
Send us feedback.
Verb
Junior linebacker Jared Ibarra and senior safety Emmanuel El Shaddai Hill highlight a defense capable of stifling top attacks.
—Matt Schubert, The Denver Post, 6 Nov. 2024
These employees say the lack of AI adoption is stifling their productivity.
—Diane Brady, Fortune, 4 Nov. 2024
To simply cut these people with abandon (and replace others with political appointees) could have severe consequences, such as stifling disaster response and increasing the likelihood of corruption.
—Charlie Warzel, The Atlantic, 4 Nov. 2024
The appeals court agreed, saying that protecting the elements could stifle creativity, and that Sheeran's and Gaye's songs were not similar enough for Sheeran's to have infringed on Structured Asset Sales' copyright.
—Blake Brittain, USA TODAY, 1 Nov. 2024
See all Example Sentences for stifle
Articles Related to stifle
Dictionary Entries Near stifle
Cite this Entry
“Stifle.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/stifle. Accessed 26 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
Love words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
Share