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

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

He said it would make it easier to stifle criticisms of policies that he says make it difficult to do business in California.

From Los Angeles Times • Mar. 6, 2026

Rosenior's switch to a three-man central defence allowed Chelsea to stifle Arsenal in a scrappy first half.

From Barron's • Feb. 3, 2026

At the beginning of last year, many analysts expected new U.S. tariffs to stifle China’s exports and depress growth.

From The Wall Street Journal • Jan. 19, 2026

Pinmei quaked and fought to stifle a shriek.

From "When the Sea Turned to Silver" by Grace Lin

Related Words

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