stifle
verb
sti·fle
| \ ˈstī-fəl
\
\
stifled;
stifling\ ˈstī-f(ə-)liŋ
\
\
Definition of stifle
(Entry 1 of 2)
1a
: to withhold from circulation or expression
stifled our anger
b
: to cut off (the voice, the breath, etc.)
c
: deter, discourage
: to be or become unable to breathe easily
stifling in the heat
stifle
nounDefinition of stifle (Entry 2 of 2)
: the joint next above the hock in the hind leg of a quadruped (such as a horse or dog) corresponding to the human knee — see horse illustration
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Other Words from stifle
Verb
stifler
\ ˈstī-f(ə-)lər
\
noun
\
noun
stiflingly
\ ˈstī-f(ə-)liŋ-lē
\
adverb
\
adverb
Examples of stifle in a Sentence
Verb
trying to stifle a cry I had to stifle the desire to yell “Stop!”. Students at the school are stifled by the pressure to score high on tests. Too many regulations stifle innovation. something that stifles the growth of the plant I wish we could go outside instead of stifling in this tiny room. He was almost stifled by the smoke.
Recent Examples on the Web: Verb
All around her is the stifling presence of life in the upper strata of America, ruled by shallowness and profit. — Maya Phillips, The New Yorker, "“Where’d You Go, Bernadette” and the False Dream That Art Will Fulfill You," 22 Aug. 2019 In the past, Fairplex officials have blamed the stifling heat that bakes Southern California each summer for attendance numbers that have fluctuated from a 16% drop in 2014 to a 6% increase the following year. — Hugo Martin, Los Angeles Times, "Can extra shade and fried chimichangas draw more visitors to the L.A. County Fair?," 22 Aug. 2019 The temperature reached that height around 3 p.m. At 4 p.m., the stifling steam bath outside was still at the same temperature. — Martin Finucane, BostonGlobe.com, "Steamy! Temperature of 93 at Logan ties record," 22 Aug. 2019 On the road against an opponent with two weeks to prepare and a stifling defense seems like a less-than-ideal situation for the Beavers. — Jon Wilner, The Mercury News, "Oregon State preview: Nowhere to go but up for the Beavers (or so it seems)," 20 Aug. 2019 On the road against an opponent with two weeks to prepare and a stifling defense seems like a less-than-ideal situation for the Beavers. — Jon Wilner, The Denver Post, "Pac-12 team previews: Nowhere to go but up for Oregon State (game-by-game predictions)," 20 Aug. 2019 Life for the sisters is measured in micro-improvements, pockets of air in the stifling fear. — Azam Ahmed, New York Times, "Women Are Fleeing Death at Home. The U.S. Wants to Keep Them Out.," 18 Aug. 2019 Some protesters were seen walking toward the airport amid the stifling heat. — Washington Post, "Hong Kong airport struggles to reopen after protests," 13 Aug. 2019 Some protesters were seen walking toward the airport amid the stifling heat. — Author: Yanan Wang, Christopher Bodeen, Anchorage Daily News, "Hong Kong airport shut down amid pro-democracy protest," 12 Aug. 2019Recent Examples on the Web: Noun
The battle will require the tech execs to mobilize lawyers, lobbyists and PR teams to convince regulators, legislators and the media that their companies do not harm consumers or stifle competition. — Dylan Byers, NBC News, "Mark Zuckerberg's next FTC fight could be tougher," 25 July 2019 The government did not appear to prove its case that a bulked-up AT&T would harm consumers and stifle competition. — Brooks Barnes, New York Times, "As Disney Moves Forward With Fox, Comcast Continues Plotting," 20 May 2018 Clyde the Belgian came to Hay Burr Inn with a stifle injury. — Denise Coffey, Courant Community, "Working Small Miracles At Hay Burr Inn Equine Rescue," 19 Sep. 2017 The company created what is called a stifle brace for Fievel, a black Lab mix who suffers from a painful torn ACL. — Stacey Delikat, Fox News, "Prosthetic limbs offering pets a new 'leash' on life," 3 July 2017These example sentences are selected automatically from various online news sources to reflect current usage of the word 'stifle.' Views expressed in the examples do not represent the opinion of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
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More Definitions for stifle
stifle
verb
English Language Learners Definition of stifle
: to not allow yourself to do or express (something)
: to stop (someone) from doing or expressing something
: to make (something) difficult or impossible
See the full definition for stifle in the English Language Learners Dictionary
stifle
verb
sti·fle
| \ ˈstī-fəl
\
\
stifled;
stifling
Kids Definition of stifle
1
: to cause or have difficulty in breathing
The room was hot and stifling.
2
: to keep in check by effort
I had to stifle a laugh.