stifle
6 synonyms and 0 antonyms for stifle, grouped by meaning and by how common each one is.
Verb — To suppress or hold back something such as a sound, feeling, or reaction.
Synonyms
Less common
Still standard English, but they carry more weight.
Rare, literary or technical
Precise, but they will stand out — check the sense before using one.
How to use stifle
The word patterns that sound natural to a native speaker.
Etymology
Traced back through Middle English "stuflen" to Old French "estouffer" ("to choke or suffocate"), the same root that gives modern French "étouffer".
Full origin of stifle →Frequently asked questions
What does “stifle” mean?
The word “stifle” means to suppress or hold back something such as a sound, feeling, or reaction. In plain terms, to hold something back so it cannot come out — a laugh, a cry, criticism, or even air itself.
How do you pronounce “stifle”?
“Stifle” is pronounced STYFL (/ˈstaɪf(ə)l/ in IPA).
How do you use “stifle” in a sentence?
Here is “stifle” used in a sentence: “She stifled a laugh during the funeral.”
What part of speech is “stifle”?
Depending on how it is used, “stifle” can be a verb and a noun.
Where does the word “stifle” come from?
The word “stifle” comes from Old French. Traced back through Middle English "stuflen" to Old French "estouffer" ("to choke or suffocate"), the same root that gives modern French "étouffer".
How many meanings does “stifle” have?
“Stifle” has 3 distinct senses listed in this dictionary. The most common is: to suppress or hold back something such as a sound, feeling, or reaction.