stifle
To stop or strongly slow down something from growing or continuing, like an idea, a discussion, or progress.
To stop or severely limit the development, growth, or continuation of something such as debate, progress, or competition.
To stop yourself from showing a feeling or making a sound, like a laugh, a cry, or a cough.
To prevent a sound, emotion, or physical reaction from being expressed, often by forcing oneself to keep it inside or make it quieter.
To almost stop someone from breathing, for example with strong heat, thick air, or smoke.
To make it very difficult for someone to breathe, especially because of heat, lack of air, or thick smoke; to almost suffocate someone.
To make a person feel they cannot do what they want or show who they really are, because of rules, control, or pressure.
To limit someone so much that they cannot act, think, or express themselves freely, especially in their work, relationships, or personal life.
The big joint in the top part of a horse’s back leg, like a person’s knee.
The large joint in the upper part of a horse’s or similar animal’s hind leg, corresponding to the human knee.
- Base: stifle
- 3rd Person Singular: stifles
- Present Participle: stifling
- Past: stifled
feel stifled
1feel limited or suffocated
To feel that you cannot do what you want or be yourself because of rules, control, or a place.
- She began to feel stifled in her small hometown.
- He feels stifled by the strict company culture.
- Many employees feel stifled when their ideas are ignored.
stifle a cough
1hold back a cough
To try not to cough, or to cough very quietly, often in a quiet place.
- He drank some water to stifle a cough.
- I tried to stifle a cough during the concert.
- She stifled a cough so she wouldn’t disturb the meeting.
stifle a laugh
1hold back a laugh
To try not to laugh out loud, usually by closing your mouth or controlling your face.
- She had to stifle a laugh when her friend mispronounced the word.
- I stifled a laugh so the teacher wouldn’t notice.
- He covered his mouth to stifle a laugh during the serious speech.
stifle a scream
1hold back a scream
To stop yourself from screaming, usually by controlling yourself or covering your mouth.
- He managed to stifle a scream when the cold water hit him.
- She stifled a scream as the door slammed shut behind her.
- I had to stifle a scream when I saw the spider.
stifle a sob
1hold back a sob
To try not to make a crying sound, even though you are very sad.
- She turned away to stifle a sob.
- He stifled a sob and nodded quietly.
- I could hear her stifle a sob on the phone.
stifle innovation
1hold back new ideas
To stop or slow down the creation of new ideas, products, or ways of doing things.
- Too much regulation can stifle innovation in small companies.
- They warned that the policy would stifle innovation in the tech sector.
- We must not stifle innovation with unnecessary paperwork.
stifle a giggle
1hold back a giggle
To try not to make a light, repeated, silly laugh.
- He stifled a giggle when he saw her hat.
- The children tried to stifle a giggle during the ceremony.
- She tried to stifle a giggle during the serious meeting.
- She covered her mouth to stifle a giggle.
- They stifled a giggle when the actor forgot his line.
stifle a yawn
1hold back a yawn
To try not to open your mouth and show that you are tired or bored.
- She tried to stifle a yawn during the performance.
- She tried to stifle a yawn during the long meeting.
- He stifled a yawn so as not to offend his host.
- He stifled a yawn so his boss wouldn’t think he was bored.
- I stifled a yawn and focused on the presentation.
stifle creativity
1limit creative expression
To stop or reduce someone’s ability to think of new ideas or make new things.
- Too many strict rules can stifle creativity in the workplace.
- Harsh criticism can stifle creativity in young artists.
- Harsh criticism at an early stage may stifle students' creativity.
- Overly strict rules may stifle creativity in the classroom.
- Micromanaging every detail tends to stifle creativity on a project.
- We want to support, not stifle, creativity in our team.
stifle dissent
1suppress open disagreement
To stop people from saying that they do not agree, especially in politics or organizations.
- Critics say the new law is designed to stifle dissent.
- The government used strict rules to stifle dissent among journalists.
- Leaders should listen to concerns, not stifle dissent.
stifle dissent
2prevent expression of disagreement
to stop people from saying or showing that they disagree.
- The new rules are seen as an attempt to stifle dissent on campus.
- Critics say the company is trying to stifle dissent among employees.
- These laws could stifle dissent and weaken democracy.