as in suppressed
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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
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Antonyms & Near Antonyms
3
as in muffled
to deaden the sound of
he stifled a cough with his hand
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Recent Examples of stifled
Justin Chang, New Yorker, 5 Dec. 2025
Andy Greder, Twin Cities, 23 Apr. 2026
While personal fans have been a fashionable accessory since before the Victorian era, the category has been stifled by a lack of innovation for a while.
—Andrew Gebhart, PC Magazine, 18 Apr. 2026
But the California School Boards Association staunchly opposed that legislation, arguing the bill stifled local decision-making.
—Molly Gibbs, Mercury News, 16 Apr. 2026
With nine punchouts, four hits and zero walks over seven innings, the lefty stifled an offense that broke out for 11 runs in Monday’s series-opener but has otherwise been a bit quiet lately.
—Gary Phillips, New York Daily News, 15 Apr. 2026
The suit argued that Live Nation's exclusivity contracts, threats to rivals, and leveraging of market domination over artists breached antitrust laws, resulting in inflated prices and stifled competition.
—Kiana Mickles, Pitchfork, 15 Apr. 2026
His Jonas – pronounced YO-nash in English – dreams of having a restaurant but is stifled as an ex-con with a fraud conviction.
—Stephen Schaefer, Boston Herald, 12 Apr. 2026
The plaintiffs further contend that USASF and other cheerleading bodies under Varsity’s sway awarded bids to all-star championship events in ways that reinforced Varsity’s market dominance and stifled competition.
—Daniel Libit, Sportico.com, 8 Apr. 2026
The Angels’ offense was stifled in a 10-inning, 3-1 loss to the Seattle Mariners during their home opener Friday night in front of 44,931 fans at Angel Stadium.
—Anthony Solorzano, Los Angeles Times, 4 Apr. 2026
Adjective
While unfolding the investigation, Guiraudie also finds the town seething with stifled lust that’s ready to burst out volcanically—and that’s inseparable from the natural mystery and wonder of country life.
—Justin Chang, New Yorker, 5 Dec. 2025
Verb
The Loons’ defense stifled Dallas striker Petar Musa, who came into the game leading MLS with nine goals this season.
—Andy Greder, Twin Cities, 23 Apr. 2026
While personal fans have been a fashionable accessory since before the Victorian era, the category has been stifled by a lack of innovation for a while.
—Andrew Gebhart, PC Magazine, 18 Apr. 2026
But the California School Boards Association staunchly opposed that legislation, arguing the bill stifled local decision-making.
—Molly Gibbs, Mercury News, 16 Apr. 2026
With nine punchouts, four hits and zero walks over seven innings, the lefty stifled an offense that broke out for 11 runs in Monday’s series-opener but has otherwise been a bit quiet lately.
—Gary Phillips, New York Daily News, 15 Apr. 2026
The suit argued that Live Nation's exclusivity contracts, threats to rivals, and leveraging of market domination over artists breached antitrust laws, resulting in inflated prices and stifled competition.
—Kiana Mickles, Pitchfork, 15 Apr. 2026
His Jonas – pronounced YO-nash in English – dreams of having a restaurant but is stifled as an ex-con with a fraud conviction.
—Stephen Schaefer, Boston Herald, 12 Apr. 2026
The plaintiffs further contend that USASF and other cheerleading bodies under Varsity’s sway awarded bids to all-star championship events in ways that reinforced Varsity’s market dominance and stifled competition.
—Daniel Libit, Sportico.com, 8 Apr. 2026
The Angels’ offense was stifled in a 10-inning, 3-1 loss to the Seattle Mariners during their home opener Friday night in front of 44,931 fans at Angel Stadium.
—Anthony Solorzano, Los Angeles Times, 4 Apr. 2026
Recent Examples of Synonyms for stifled
Adjective
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General Manager Ken Holland hinted at potentially being done after trading center Phillip Danault for a draft pick in December and acquiring Panarin at a suppressed price in February, though he has been known to under-promise often and, sometimes, over-deliver.—
Andrew Knoll,
Daily News,
3 Mar. 2026
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Supervising sound editor Alastair Sirkett told IndieWire that Peter Claffey’s big, former-rugby-player frame really helps that moment sing with suppressed panic.—
Sarah Shachat,
IndieWire,
18 Feb. 2026
Verb
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Wanner's body was found three weeks later, strangled to death, in a remote area outside Foresthill, about 40 miles away from her home.—
Jon Haworth,
ABC News,
28 Apr. 2026
-
She had been raped and strangled, according to the Sheriff's Office.—
Carlos E. Castañeda,
CBS News,
27 Apr. 2026
Verb
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Early in the season, Johnson would have rather swallowed a Fiesta cascarone whole than play both of his inexperienced rookies at the same time.—
Jeff McDonald,
San Antonio Express-News,
25 Apr. 2026
-
Near the lake that has swallowed Van Buren, someone has constructed an outlet called Heirloom Traditions Company Store.—
Literary Hub,
Literary Hub,
24 Apr. 2026
Verb
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Their replies are muffled by their hands blocking their mouths.—
Larisha Paul,
Rolling Stone,
29 Apr. 2026
-
He’s perched on the second floor above the courtyard, a few bustling parties muffled in the background.—
Nicole Letts,
Southern Living,
15 Apr. 2026
Adjective
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The film explores a teenager’s struggles in 1998 alongside his mother’s repressed trauma from the 1948 Jeju April 3 Uprising.—
Naman Ramachandran,
Variety,
27 Apr. 2026
-
Fuqua’s focus is on the music, with songwriting, video production and choreography scenes, and full-length live performances tackled with staggering precision by Jaafar Jackson, who also sensitively delivers Michael’s repressed anguish in confrontational scenes with his father.—
Katie Walsh,
Twin Cities,
25 Apr. 2026
Verb
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Another firefighter told investigators Lewin also choked the patient after jabbing his eyes.—
Angie DiMichele,
Sun Sentinel,
27 Apr. 2026
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Kolkata spinners Varun Chakravarthy (2-33) and Sunil Narine (1-23) choked the scoring, while pacers Vaibhav Arora (2-24) and Kartik Tyagi (1-41) also inflicted damage.—
ABC News,
ABC News,
26 Apr. 2026
Verb
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Yet enthusiasm among young voters is muted, the poll found.—
Kathryn Palmer,
USA Today,
23 Apr. 2026
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European stocks ticked higher on Thursday as regional market sentiment remains muted.—
Hugh Leask,Holly Ellyatt,Chloe Taylor,
CNBC,
23 Apr. 2026
Adjective
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When monitoring wanes and enforcement fades, workers pay the price first in wages and safety, then in silenced voices and must choose between an empty stomach and their rights.—
Tharo Khun,
Sourcing Journal,
8 Jan. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Stifled.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/stifled. Accessed 1 May. 2026.
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