Stifle: meaning, definitions and examples

๐Ÿค
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stifle

 

[ หˆstaษช.fษ™l ]

Verb
Context #1 | Verb

to restrict or smother

To stifle means to suppress, restrain, or suffocate something. It can refer to stifling a yawn, stifling a laugh, or stifling creativity. It can also mean to suffocate or smother physically.

Synonyms

restrain, smother, suffocate, suppress

Examples of usage

  • Her laughter was so contagious, I had to stifle my own.
  • He tried to stifle a yawn during the boring presentation.
  • The oppressive heat seemed to stifle all creativity in the room.
Context #2 | Verb

to prevent or inhibit

To stifle can also mean to prevent or inhibit the development or expression of something. It can refer to stifling innovation, stifling dissent, or stifling competition.

Synonyms

constrain, hamper, inhibit, prevent

Examples of usage

  • The strict regulations stifle entrepreneurial spirit.
  • They tried to stifle any opposition to their plans.
  • Monopolies can stifle healthy competition in the market.

Translations

Translations of the word "stifle" in other languages:

๐Ÿ‡ต๐Ÿ‡น sufocar

๐Ÿ‡ฎ๐Ÿ‡ณ เคฆเคฎ เค˜เฅ‹เค‚เคŸเคจเคพ

๐Ÿ‡ฉ๐Ÿ‡ช ersticken

๐Ÿ‡ฎ๐Ÿ‡ฉ mencekik

๐Ÿ‡บ๐Ÿ‡ฆ ะดัƒัˆะธั‚ะธ

๐Ÿ‡ต๐Ÿ‡ฑ dusiฤ‡

๐Ÿ‡ฏ๐Ÿ‡ต ๆฏใ‚’ๆญขใ‚ใ‚‹

๐Ÿ‡ซ๐Ÿ‡ท รฉtouffer

๐Ÿ‡ช๐Ÿ‡ธ asfixiar

๐Ÿ‡น๐Ÿ‡ท boฤŸmak

๐Ÿ‡ฐ๐Ÿ‡ท ์งˆ์‹์‹œํ‚ค๋‹ค

๐Ÿ‡ธ๐Ÿ‡ฆ ุฎู†ู‚

๐Ÿ‡จ๐Ÿ‡ฟ dusit

๐Ÿ‡ธ๐Ÿ‡ฐ dusiลฅ

๐Ÿ‡จ๐Ÿ‡ณ ็ช’ๆฏ

๐Ÿ‡ธ๐Ÿ‡ฎ zaduลกiti

๐Ÿ‡ฎ๐Ÿ‡ธ kรฆfa

๐Ÿ‡ฐ๐Ÿ‡ฟ ั‚าฑะฝัˆั‹า›ั‚ั‹ั€ัƒ

๐Ÿ‡ฌ๐Ÿ‡ช แƒ“แƒแƒฎแƒ แƒฉแƒแƒ‘แƒ

๐Ÿ‡ฆ๐Ÿ‡ฟ boฤŸmaq

๐Ÿ‡ฒ๐Ÿ‡ฝ asfixiar

Etymology

The word 'stifle' originated from Middle English 'stiflen', which means to suffocate or choke. It has roots in Old English 'stฤซflan' and is related to the word 'stiff'. Over time, the meaning of 'stifle' expanded to include the ideas of suppression and inhibition, reflecting its current usage.

See also: stifling.

Word Frequency Rank

With rank #17,276, this word belongs to specialized vocabulary. While not common in everyday speech, it enriches your ability to express complex ideas.