Stifle (Verb)

Meaning ¹

Impair the respiration of or obstruct the air passage of; "The foul air was slowly suffocating the children".

Classification

Verbs of touching, hitting, tying, digging.

Examples

• The thick smoke began to stifle her, making it hard to catch her breath in the small room.
• Falling debris threatened to stifle anyone who got trapped under the rubble of the collapsed building.
• The air quality in the old mansion was so poor it started to stifle visitors within minutes of entering.
• Inhaling the noxious fumes almost stifle him, making him gasp desperately for fresh air.
• As the massive fire engulfed the house, dense smoke stifle the occupants, causing widespread panic.

Synonyms

• Choke
• Asphyxiate
• Suffocate

Hypernyms

• Close Up
• Impede
• Block
• Obstruct
• Jam
• Occlude

Meaning ²

Suppress or constrain so as to lessen in intensity; "Stifle your curiosity".

Classification

Verbs of size, temperature change, intensifying, etc..

Examples

• She had to stifle her laughter during the serious lecture to avoid disturbing the other students.
• The news report tried to stifle rumors about the celebrity's personal life to protect their reputation.
• The company's policies stifle the creativity and originality of the employees by not allowing them to take risks.
• The grieving family was trying to stifle their tears during the funeral service to maintain their composure.
• The tyrannical government stifle opposition and silence the voices of those who dared to speak out against them.

Synonyms

• Dampen

Antonyms

• Stimulate

Hypernyms

• Suppress
• Bottle Up

Hyponyms

• Choke

Related Words

• Stifler (noun)

Meaning ³

Suppress in order to conceal or hide; "smother a yawn"; "muffle one's anger"; "strangle a laugh"; "repress a cry of fear".

Classification

Verbs of touching, hitting, tying, digging.

Examples

• She tried to stifle a yawn while listening to her boss's long speech.
• His attempt to stifle his laughter only made the other children giggle louder.
• The news of his accident was so shocking that Emma had to stifle a scream.
• Under the intense scrutiny, the suspect found it hard to stifle his nervous behavior.
• He took a few deep breaths to stifle his anger before responding to the rude comment.

Synonyms

• Repress
• Muffle
• Smother
• Strangle

Hypernyms

• Inhibit
• Suppress

Related Words

• Stifling (noun)
• Stifler (noun)

Meaning ⁴

Be asphyxiated; die from lack of oxygen; "The child suffocated under the pillow".

Classification

Verbs of size, temperature change, intensifying, etc..

Examples

• The air was so thick with smoke that it began to stifle him, causing him to struggle for breath.
• She tried to hold her breath but the dust filling her lungs began to stifle her.
• Due to the collapsed building, several people were trapped and began to stifle from lack of oxygen.
• Rescue teams worked rapidly to free the miners before the air in the tunnel could stifle them.
• The dense forest fire created a thick haze that seemed to stifle anyone who ventured too close.

Synonyms

• Asphyxiate
• Suffocate

Hypernyms

• Pop Off
• Croak
• Die
• Pass
• Expire
• Cash In One's Chips
• Perish
• Conk
• Choke
• Buy The Farm
• Exit
• Drop Dead
• Pass Away
• Go
• Give-up The Ghost
• Kick The Bucket
• Snuff It

Hyponyms

• Strangle