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

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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.

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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

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stifle ² British  

/ ˈstaɪfəl /

noun

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

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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

Many legal and media experts have said a stricter application of the rule would be hard to enforce and could stifle free speech.

From Los Angeles Times

Many countries are planning similar moves, despite a warning from US Vice President JD Vance last year against "excessive regulation" that could stifle innovation.

From Barron's

But that hasn’t stifled the scary talk about how dangerous they are.

From The Wall Street Journal

Oatly's general manager for the UK and Ireland, Bryan Carroll, said the case was "a way to stifle competition and is not in the interests of the British public".

From BBC

Orion barked as if in agreement, and as excited as they were, Danny and Glory both stifled deep yawns.

From Literature

Related Words

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