as in close
lacking fresh air
the lecture hall was stifling until we opened several windows
Synonyms & Similar Words
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Antonyms & Near Antonyms
1
as in strangling
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
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
2
as in suppressing
to refrain from openly showing or uttering
stifled a yawn
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
3
as in muffling
to deaden the sound of
he stifled a cough with his hand
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Example Sentences
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Recent Examples of stifling
Mark Travers, Forbes, 5 Jan. 2025
The core of their legal challenge revolves around claims that the charter agreement breaches antitrust laws by stifling competition.
—Dan Perry, Newsweek, 3 Jan. 2025
Will the courts uphold the rule, potentially stifling a sector with transformative potential?
—Sandy Carter, Forbes, 3 Jan. 2025
For a player who has always shown so much energy and joy on the court, searching for offense with this new roster has proven to be stifling.
—Jon Krawczynski, The Athletic, 3 Jan. 2025
Some are now fearful Republicans are beginning to try to weaponize that small-dollar model against them, further stifling their ascent.
—Hanna Trudo, The Hill, 2 Jan. 2025
Oregon, on the other hand, struggled to sustain drives, scoring only once before the half and failing to get much going against Ohio State’s stifling defense.
—Anthony De Leon, Los Angeles Times, 2 Jan. 2025
This creates a lack of physical and emotional space in the relationship that can be stifling for their partner.
—Mark Travers, Forbes, 29 Dec. 2024
Relationships aren’t one-size-fits-all, and the rigid script of perfect date nights, grand romantic gestures and flawless communication can feel stifling.
—Mark Travers, Forbes, 29 Dec. 2024
Verb
However, a lack of autonomy growing up can strongly trigger the need for independence and reinforce negative attitudes about how future relationships may continue to be stifling.
—Mark Travers, Forbes, 5 Jan. 2025
The core of their legal challenge revolves around claims that the charter agreement breaches antitrust laws by stifling competition.
—Dan Perry, Newsweek, 3 Jan. 2025
Will the courts uphold the rule, potentially stifling a sector with transformative potential?
—Sandy Carter, Forbes, 3 Jan. 2025
For a player who has always shown so much energy and joy on the court, searching for offense with this new roster has proven to be stifling.
—Jon Krawczynski, The Athletic, 3 Jan. 2025
Some are now fearful Republicans are beginning to try to weaponize that small-dollar model against them, further stifling their ascent.
—Hanna Trudo, The Hill, 2 Jan. 2025
Oregon, on the other hand, struggled to sustain drives, scoring only once before the half and failing to get much going against Ohio State’s stifling defense.
—Anthony De Leon, Los Angeles Times, 2 Jan. 2025
This creates a lack of physical and emotional space in the relationship that can be stifling for their partner.
—Mark Travers, Forbes, 29 Dec. 2024
Relationships aren’t one-size-fits-all, and the rigid script of perfect date nights, grand romantic gestures and flawless communication can feel stifling.
—Mark Travers, Forbes, 29 Dec. 2024
Recent Examples of Synonyms for stifling
Adjective
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Sign up for our weekly newsletter that goes beyond the livestream, offering a closer look at the trends and figures shaping the ETF market.—
Eric Rosenbaum,
CNBC,
17 Apr. 2025
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The new Charlotte Knights’ manager pitched for four MLB teams from 2010 to 2015, recording 30 saves as the closer for the Chicago White Sox in 2011.—
Shane Connuck,
Charlotte Observer,
17 Apr. 2025
Verb
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He had been arrested for allegedly strangling his then-girlfriend, Johnny Faye Cartwright, in 2020.—
J. Kim Murphy,
Variety,
4 Jan. 2025
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His trouble with the law began in 2020, when he was arrested for allegedly strangling his girlfriend at an Oregon home.—
Julia Moore,
People.com,
3 Jan. 2025
Verb
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Instead of suppressing your emotions, practice emotional validation—acknowledge and accept your feelings without judgment.—
Mark Travers,
Forbes,
23 Dec. 2024
-
His approach promises a more collaborative regulatory framework, fostering innovation rather than suppressing it.—
Leeor Shimron,
Forbes,
23 Dec. 2024
Adjective
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And their suffocating defensive pressure will overwhelm the Boilermakers.—
Jon Wilner,
Mercury News,
26 Mar. 2025
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Quarterback Kirk Cousins was having trouble against a suffocating pass rush.—
Chad Graff,
New York Times,
26 Mar. 2025
Verb
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Quick thinking by a 9-year-old boy in North Carolina helped save his friend who started choking at recess.—
Sam Gillette,
People.com,
11 Mar. 2025
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He was inspired to learn after watching a teacher use the method to help another student who was choking.—
Sam Gillette,
People.com,
11 Mar. 2025
Verb
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Kids older than one year can be given honey to help neutralize the damage, but swallowing a button battery is a life-threatening emergency for which parents should immediately seek medical care.—
Ryan Murphy,
The Indianapolis Star,
24 Dec. 2024
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Symptoms include general weakness, muscle weakness, dizziness, double-vision, abdominal tension, constipation, trouble with speaking or swallowing and difficulty in breathing.—
Josh Hammer,
Newsweek,
23 Dec. 2024
Adjective
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Then again, the same could be said for all of MLB, which is considered stuffier than the NFL and NBA.—
Gary Phillips,
New York Daily News,
13 Mar. 2025
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His Olympic Agenda 2020 did away with some of the IOC’s stuffier traditions and paved the way for the inclusion of trendy urban sports like BMX and breaking at the Games.—
Blythe Lawrence,
Forbes,
2 Mar. 2025
Adjective
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Moore sprinted down the field in celebration of his game-saving play with 29 seconds left that gave UCLA an unexpectedly breathless 27-20 victory.—
Ben Bolch,
Los Angeles Times,
2 Nov. 2024
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Jerry Coyne has a post up which critiques an extremely breathless review of a new book, Epigenetics Revolution.—
Razib Khan,
Discover Magazine,
24 Aug. 2011
Cite this Entry
“Stifling.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/stifling. Accessed 24 Apr. 2025.
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