stifle
1 ENTRIES FOUND:
stifles;
stifled;
stifling
stifles;
stifled;
stifling
Britannica Dictionary definition of STIFLE
1
[+ object]
a
:
to not allow yourself to do or express (something)
-
trying to stifle a cry/yawn
-
I had to stifle the desire/urge to yell “Stop!”
b
:
to stop (someone) from doing or expressing something
-
Students at the school are stifled by the pressure to score high on tests.
2
[+ object]
:
to make (something) difficult or impossible
-
Too many regulations stifle innovation.
-
something that stifles the growth of the plant/economy
3
a
[no object]
:
to be unable to breathe easily
-
I wish we could go outside instead of stifling in this tiny room.
b
[+ object]
:
to make (someone) unable to breathe or unable to breathe easily
-
He was almost stifled by the smoke.
