English Meaning & Definitions
To restrain, smother, or prevent the development, expression, or occurrence of something.
- “She tried to stifle a yawn during the long lecture.”
- “High taxes can stifle economic growth and innovation.”
To make someone unable to breathe properly; to suffocate or choke.
- “The thick smoke threatened to stifle the trapped miners.”
- “He felt the oppressive heat began to stifle him inside the crowded room.”
Comprehensive Thesaurus Breakdown
Compare formal, informal, literary synonyms and register nuances for “stifle”.
Originating in the late 14th century as 'stiflen', from Middle English, likely related to Old Norse 'stífla' (to dam up, choke) and Old English 'stīflian', ultimately derived from the root meaning 'stiff'.
Think of trying to 'stifle' a sneeze when you have a 'stiff' neck, blocking it from coming out.
Frequently Asked Questions About “stifle”
1. What is the meaning of “stifle” in English?
In English, stifle (verb) is defined as: “To restrain, smother, or prevent the development, expression, or occurrence of something.”.
2. How do you use “stifle” in a sentence?
“She tried to stifle a yawn during the long lecture.”
4. What is the etymology and word origin of “stifle”?
Originating in the late 14th century as 'stiflen', from Middle English, likely related to Old Norse 'stífla' (to dam up, choke) and Old English 'stīflian', ultimately derived from the root meaning 'stiff'.
🇬🇧More English Words to English
View all English words →The base unit of time in the International System of Units (SI), equal to the duration of 9,192,631,770 periods of the radiation corresponding to the transition between the two hyperfine levels of the ground state of the caesium-133 atom.
A specific duration of time equal to one hour and forty-six minutes and twelve seconds.
The cardinal number equal to one thousand million (1,000,000,000), expressed in scientific notation as 10^9.
A specific duration of time equivalent to one hour and forty-six minutes.