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
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
Example Sentences
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Recent Examples of stifling
CBS News, 9 Feb. 2026
The Wolverines’ school-record nine-game winning streak in Big Ten games was snapped by a big and experienced team that plays stifling defense and is led by a 6-foot-7 preseason All-America center who does it all.
—Los Angeles Times, 8 Feb. 2026
That influx of Chinese imports could be making its way to American shores—and, in the process, stifling the growth of local industry in the African markets.
—Kate Nishimura, Sourcing Journal, 5 Feb. 2026
Just two days after the Colorado Avalanche came into Detroit and rolled to a 5-0 win, the Red Wings returned the favor with a stifling defensive performance to win 2-0 in Denver.
—Max Bultman, New York Times, 3 Feb. 2026
Playing rival McCallum roughly 24 hours after the game was postponed from Friday night due to water issues at the Knights' campus, the Trojans used a stifling second-half defensive effort for a 46-35 win at Burger Center to take a two-game lead in the district standings.
—Colby Gordon, Austin American Statesman, 31 Jan. 2026
Some might find this stifling or claustrophobic, but being forced to live together day by day may also stimulate openness and mutual respect.
—Ian Bogost, The Atlantic, 29 Jan. 2026
Arc’teryx base layers hit the trifecta—we’re partial to the Rho line, which use the brand’s Torrent stretch fleece for light (never stifling) warmth and plenty of stretch.
—Kristen Geil, Outside, 27 Jan. 2026
The Blue Devils got 10 points from Patrick Ngongba and used a stifling defense to limit Texas to 32% shooting and force 16 turnovers.
—Lia Assimakopoulos, Dallas Morning News, 27 Jan. 2026
Verb
The Seahawks defensive front was stifling, sacking Patriots second-year quarterback Drake Maye six times.
—CBS News, 9 Feb. 2026
The Wolverines’ school-record nine-game winning streak in Big Ten games was snapped by a big and experienced team that plays stifling defense and is led by a 6-foot-7 preseason All-America center who does it all.
—Los Angeles Times, 8 Feb. 2026
That influx of Chinese imports could be making its way to American shores—and, in the process, stifling the growth of local industry in the African markets.
—Kate Nishimura, Sourcing Journal, 5 Feb. 2026
Just two days after the Colorado Avalanche came into Detroit and rolled to a 5-0 win, the Red Wings returned the favor with a stifling defensive performance to win 2-0 in Denver.
—Max Bultman, New York Times, 3 Feb. 2026
Playing rival McCallum roughly 24 hours after the game was postponed from Friday night due to water issues at the Knights' campus, the Trojans used a stifling second-half defensive effort for a 46-35 win at Burger Center to take a two-game lead in the district standings.
—Colby Gordon, Austin American Statesman, 31 Jan. 2026
Some might find this stifling or claustrophobic, but being forced to live together day by day may also stimulate openness and mutual respect.
—Ian Bogost, The Atlantic, 29 Jan. 2026
Arc’teryx base layers hit the trifecta—we’re partial to the Rho line, which use the brand’s Torrent stretch fleece for light (never stifling) warmth and plenty of stretch.
—Kristen Geil, Outside, 27 Jan. 2026
The Blue Devils got 10 points from Patrick Ngongba and used a stifling defense to limit Texas to 32% shooting and force 16 turnovers.
—Lia Assimakopoulos, Dallas Morning News, 27 Jan. 2026
Recent Examples of Synonyms for stifling
Adjective
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Over the years, Grey and Pollan have remained close, often supporting one another through personal and professional milestones.—
Danielle Minnetian,
FOXNews.com,
10 Feb. 2026
-
The bus depot is two stories beneath the train platform and several blocks from the closest stairway.—
DP Opinion,
Denver Post,
10 Feb. 2026
Verb
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Reuters reported that the medals featured a safety clip, intended to snap off when pulled forcefully to prevent the ribbon from strangling.—
Juliana Kim,
NPR,
12 Feb. 2026
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The Federal Reserve is handcuffed, unable to cut rates without reigniting inflation, yet unable to hold them without strangling growth.—
Katica Roy,
Fortune,
10 Feb. 2026
Verb
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But Vance’s false accusations at last year’s conference – that Europe is suppressing freedom of speech and democracy, and facing civilizational decline – are now enshrined in US national security strategy.—
Nick Paton Walsh,
CNN Money,
15 Feb. 2026
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Reinterpreting the history of slavery has given way to suppressing its memorialization entirely.—
Thomas Chatterton Williams,
The Atlantic,
13 Feb. 2026
Verb
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In addition, six interchanges were reconfigured and 7 miles of noise-muffling walls were installed.—
Eleanor Nash,
Kansas City Star,
3 Feb. 2026
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Kubiak found that easy to navigate with a conservative game plan in the season finale at the 49ers with a rushing attack that had 39 attempts for 180 yards while the Seahawks’ defense was muffling the opposition.—
Jerry McDonald,
Mercury News,
14 Jan. 2026
Adjective
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Georgia will surely be ready and focused on its home floor following two consecutive losses, but Bucky Ball and its suffocating style from a fresh A&M team will be too much for the Bulldogs.—
Tony Catalina,
Austin American Statesman,
30 Jan. 2026
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Justin Edmonds / Getty Images Darnold, Mike Macdonald and a suffocating defense have led the Seahawks to the big stage for the fourth time in franchise history.—
CBS News,
CBS News,
26 Jan. 2026
Verb
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The characteristics and size of the small starch clumps could constitute a choking hazard, said Mondelez Global, which owns the brand, particularly in young children and the elderly.—
Michelle Del Rey,
USA Today,
6 Feb. 2026
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Check your cookie stash for Chips Ahoy products that could contain a choking hazard.—
Karen Brewer Grossman,
Southern Living,
5 Feb. 2026
Verb
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Artists are tired of swallowing scandals like this.—
Hattie Lindert,
Pitchfork,
6 Feb. 2026
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These great-tasting liquids can be beneficial for children and adults who have difficulty swallowing tablets.—
BestReviews,
Mercury News,
4 Feb. 2026
Adjective
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Some more civilized tenants, the sweet but stuffy textile heir Edgar Linton (Shazad Latif) and his sister, Isabella (Alison Oliver), move into the estate next door.—
David Sims,
The Atlantic,
9 Feb. 2026
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And who shall arrive to shake him out of his stuffy ways?—
New York Times,
New York Times,
9 Feb. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Stifling.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/stifling. Accessed 15 Feb. 2026.
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