stifle
verb (used with object)
to quell, crush, or end by force: to stifle free expression.
had been stifling
-
past perfect progressiveof stifle.past perfect progressive
Used to describe an action that was ongoing continuously in the past up until another past event interrupted it.
Example Sentences
Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.
The Clippers’ defense had been stifling for long stretches in the first half, which in turn allowed them to build momentum in building a 42-24 lead.
From Los Angeles Times ● Oct. 26, 2024
This was new and thrilling, especially compared to my most recent relationship, which had been stifling and lacked chemistry.
From Los Angeles Times ● Sep. 13, 2024
Google’s parent company agreed to pay $700 million to settle allegations that it had been stifling competition against its Android app store.
From Seattle Times ● Dec. 19, 2023
She foamed red, my best friend, forming the words we had been stifling all night, the spell-bursting ones:
From The New Yorker ● Jun. 1, 2015
From the time that he had left the Palatine they had been stifling him like a nightmare, and rending his ears.
From Quo Vadis: a narrative of the time of Nero by Jeremiah Curtin
