stifle

[stahy-fuhl] / ˈstaɪ fəl /

VERB

prevent, restrain

Synonyms

STRONGEST

curb muzzle repress silence smother squelch strangle suffocate suppress

STRONG

asphyxiate burke check choke constipate cork extinguish gag hush kill muffle spike squash stagnate stop stultify torpedo trammel

WEAK

black out bring to screeching halt choke back clam up clamp down cover up crack down dry up hold it down hush up put the lid on shut up sit on

Antonyms

STRONGEST

allow encourage free let go loose release

STRONG

aid assist bear begin create help start

WEAK

persuade

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.

From art to business, constraints can unleash rather than stifle creativity.

From The Wall Street Journal • May 14, 2026

"We will vigorously oppose this effort to stifle and intimidate essential reporting," Sinha said.

From Barron's • May 12, 2026

Generic competition could influence the extent to which obesity pioneers Novo Nordisk and Eli Lilly continue to reap a windfall, and stifle the prospects of emerging rivals.

From The Wall Street Journal • May 8, 2026

KP Law added that some requests are "consistent with an intention to be onerous to the point of oppression" and ultimately stifle the litigation.

From BBC • Apr. 29, 2026

I was building up in me a dream which the entire educational system of the South had been rigged to stifle.

From "Black Boy" by Richard Wright

Vocabulary lists containing stifle

The Diary of Anne Frank

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"The Tell-Tale Heart," Vocabulary from the short story

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List 5

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