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

They demanded a constitution and the abolition of old abuses which for generations had been stifling the life of the Peninsula.

From The History of Cuba, vol. 2 by Johnson, Willis Fletcher