as in suppressed
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Antonyms & Near Antonyms
1
as in strangled
to be or cause to be killed by lack of breathable air
unfortunately, the robbers were stifled when they got trapped in the airless bank vault
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Antonyms & Near Antonyms
2
as in swallowed
to refrain from openly showing or uttering
stifled a yawn
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
3
as in muffled
to deaden the sound of
he stifled a cough with his hand
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Antonyms & Near Antonyms
Example Sentences
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Recent Examples of stifled
James L. Edwards Iii, The Athletic, 4 Jan. 2025
When his scoring is stifled, Edwards will often lose focus in other areas.
—Jon Krawczynski, The Athletic, 3 Jan. 2025
Georgia still got a field goal but the penalty may have stifled momentum.
—Seth Emerson, The Athletic, 2 Jan. 2025
This shame promotes a culture where the potential for innovation is stifled, and opportunities for meaningful collaboration are missed.
—Jessica A. Stansbury, Baltimore Sun, 29 Dec. 2024
Baltimore’s ascendant defense, meanwhile, stifled the Texans all game, holding Stroud to 17 of 31 passing for 185 yards while sacking him five times.
—Brian Wacker, Orlando Sentinel, 26 Dec. 2024
Women Want Choices—Let’s Give Them In highly regulated fields like healthcare, innovation can feel stifled.
—Mallory Walsh, Forbes, 23 Dec. 2024
But Schell worries that this mindset has stifled innovation, and prevented avalanche centers from discovering better models for funding and management.
—Frederick Dreier, Outside Online, 23 Dec. 2024
This isolation has obliterated economic opportunities, stifled private-sector activity, and curtailed the country’s exposure to global markets, all of which are vital for economic recovery.
—Karam Shaar, Foreign Affairs, 20 Dec. 2024
Verb
The duo along with Josh Hart stifled the Thunder, holding them to 8-of-21 shooting in the second quarter.
—James L. Edwards Iii, The Athletic, 4 Jan. 2025
When his scoring is stifled, Edwards will often lose focus in other areas.
—Jon Krawczynski, The Athletic, 3 Jan. 2025
Georgia still got a field goal but the penalty may have stifled momentum.
—Seth Emerson, The Athletic, 2 Jan. 2025
This shame promotes a culture where the potential for innovation is stifled, and opportunities for meaningful collaboration are missed.
—Jessica A. Stansbury, Baltimore Sun, 29 Dec. 2024
Baltimore’s ascendant defense, meanwhile, stifled the Texans all game, holding Stroud to 17 of 31 passing for 185 yards while sacking him five times.
—Brian Wacker, Orlando Sentinel, 26 Dec. 2024
Women Want Choices—Let’s Give Them In highly regulated fields like healthcare, innovation can feel stifled.
—Mallory Walsh, Forbes, 23 Dec. 2024
But Schell worries that this mindset has stifled innovation, and prevented avalanche centers from discovering better models for funding and management.
—Frederick Dreier, Outside Online, 23 Dec. 2024
This isolation has obliterated economic opportunities, stifled private-sector activity, and curtailed the country’s exposure to global markets, all of which are vital for economic recovery.
—Karam Shaar, Foreign Affairs, 20 Dec. 2024
Recent Examples of Synonyms for stifled
Verb
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Israel also says its large-scale airstrikes and ground operations in Lebanon have strangled Hezbollah, cutting off Iran's access to what was once a formidable political and militant force on Israel's northern border.—
Josh Hammer,
Newsweek,
23 Dec. 2024
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Several hours later, she was found dead in her own home – bludgeoned and strangled.—
Erin Moriarty,
CBS News,
21 Dec. 2024
Verb
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Caspar suppressed his urge to respond.—
Brandon Taylor,
The Atlantic,
4 Jan. 2025
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Ukrainians are uncovering their country’s culinary history – and how its distinctive features were suppressed by the authorities during Soviet rule.—
Howard LaFranchi,
The Christian Science Monitor,
30 Dec. 2024
Adjective
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As a reminder, here's how Scorsese and the three-time Oscar winner worked together to make romantic sublimation and repressed emotions weirdly sensual.—
Jordan Hoffman,
EW.com,
21 May 2025
-
Tensions soared in 2016 when the government attempted to impose French in English-speaking regions’ schools and courts, igniting protests that security forces violently repressed.—
Nalova Akua,
Los Angeles Times,
5 May 2025
Verb
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In February, a female officer was choked, punched, and kicked in the face and body by an inmate with a face covering.—
Peter Cordi,
Washington Examiner - Political News and Conservative Analysis About Congress, the President, and the Federal Government,
14 Mar. 2025
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At one point, while being choked from behind, the 102-pound, 5-foot-tall 18-year-old managed to fully flip one of her attackers over, with the suspect landing on the concrete ground.—
Angel Saunders,
People.com,
14 Mar. 2025
Verb
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Tiny batteries used to power items like remote controls or small electronic toys are extremely dangerous if swallowed.—
Ryan Murphy,
The Indianapolis Star,
24 Dec. 2024
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But when they're swallowed, those beads quickly expand to many times their original size, causing bowel blockages.—
Ryan Murphy,
The Indianapolis Star,
24 Dec. 2024
Verb
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The special teams impact was fairly muted, with Järnkrok ranking fourth among forwards in PK ice time while Bunting was fifth in PP minutes.—
Nick Ashbourne,
New York Times,
11 Apr. 2025
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His performances were muted as team captain.—
Felipe Cardenas,
New York Times,
11 Apr. 2025
Adjective
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Estate sales are a treasure trove for uncovering vintage clothing, and real hidden gems are often tucked away in unexpected places.—
Nicole Letts,
Southern Living,
7 June 2025
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The building’s second story will be built out and have even more bowling lanes — something not commonly seen in the U.S., Parkin said — and a hidden speakeasy bar that will be for 21 years old and over.—
Laylan Connelly,
Oc Register,
6 June 2025
Cite this Entry
“Stifled.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/stifled. Accessed 10 Jun. 2025.
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