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Synonyms

stifle

1 American  
[stahy-fuhl] / ˈstaɪ fəl /

verb (used with object)

stifled, stifling

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

    to stifle a revolt;

    to stifle free expression.
    Synonyms:
    put down, preclude, prevent, prevent
    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)

stifled, stifling

  1. to suffer from difficulty in breathing, as in a close atmosphere.

  2. to become stifled or suffocated.

stifle 2 American  
[stahy-fuhl] / ˈstaɪ fəl /

noun

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

stifle 1 British  
/ 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

"Collins English Dictionary — Complete & Unabridged" 2012 Digital Edition © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012
stifle 2 British  
/ ˈstaɪfəl /

noun

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

"Collins English Dictionary — Complete & Unabridged" 2012 Digital Edition © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012

Other Word Forms

  • stifler noun

Etymology

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 < ?

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.

They could also stifle key parts of the U.S. economy such as housing that are already struggling under the weight of high borrowing costs.

From MarketWatch • Mar. 21, 2026

All of which arguably stifle the abandon, or even the havoc, that is often characteristic of the world's biggest cities.

From BBC • Mar. 7, 2026

The United States has opposed what Vice President JD Vance called "excessive regulation", warning it could stifle innovation in the key sector.

From Barron's • Feb. 28, 2026

Business and technology groups have opposed the bill, arguing that the new regulations and the right to sue would stifle investment in AI-powered learning tools.

From Los Angeles Times • Feb. 22, 2026

I can’t stifle a laugh at my own lame joke.

From "Thirteen Reasons Why" by Jay Asher

Definitions and idiom definitions from Dictionary.com Unabridged, based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023

Idioms from The American Heritage® Idioms Dictionary copyright © 2002, 2001, 1995 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company.