to stifle

Examples

• All

• However, what that would do is it would completely stifle our growth because the way Duolingo has grown is through word of mouth.

• You begin to stifle all kinds of points of view.

  Ethos (2011)

• And when you do that, you stifle the ability for you guys to move forward and make progress on the situation.

• You have to stifle your real desires.

  Jay Shetty Podcast

• And that stifles creativity and innovation and three, free thought.

  Lex Fridman

• I think it, it actually stifles sort of entrepreneurship.

  Dad Saves America

• Research and development are stifled in areas that don't directly support environmental objectives.

  Academic text (2011)

• That's what we have to do because we live in a world right now where these tech giants are stifling competition.

• The yen is the leading Asian currency, but Japan's heavy regulation has long stifled its international use.

  Academic text (1999)

• Experts are concerned that high oil prices can stifle growth, especially in developing countries.

Synonyms

C

to contain

vsto stifle

220 3.5

To keep something dangerous from spreading or getting worse

focuses on preventing spread or escape rather than stopping expression

H

to hold down

vsto stifle

88 3.2

To keep something low and stop it from getting bigger

is more about stopping expression or development rather than only limiting growth

H

to hold back

vsto stifle

86 4.2

Keep yourself from showing feelings or telling others

is more about stopping growth or expression beyond just feelings

T

to thwart

vsto stifle

77 7.4

To stop someone from doing what they want

is more about stopping feelings, reactions, or development than blocking plans

C

to choke

vsto stifle

77 4.9

To find it hard to speak because you feel strong emotion

is more general, applying to development and reactions as well

H

to hold in

vsto stifle

65 4.5

To stop yourself from showing strong feelings

is broader, applying to holding back actions or development too

S

to suppress

vsto stifle

48 5.8

To hold back feelings or reactions

is more general, also used for blocking development or progress

R

to repress

vsto stifle

42 6.6

Keep strong feelings or memories from coming into the mind

is not limited to unconscious exclusion and can be deliberate

B

to bottle up

vsto stifle

41 5.6

To keep strong feelings inside instead of telling others

is more general, used for stopping emotional or developmental expression

D

to dampen

vsto stifle

41 4.4

Make something less strong or noticeable, for example sound and feeling

implies a milder reduction in intensity rather than complete stopping

S

to suffocate

vsto stifle

37 5.7

To feel limited and unable to grow or express yourself

often refers to a limiting environment rather than an act of stopping expression

Q

to quell

vsto stifle

35 7.7

To stop a strong feeling or a crowd causing trouble

is more about preventing expression or growth than calming disturbance

S

to smother

vsto stifle

35 6.0

To stop a feeling or sound from being shown

is often less extreme, used for holding back rather than fully covering

S

to strangle

vsto stifle

28 6.7

To limit growth or activity so it cannot continue

is usually milder, meaning to hold back rather than completely stop growth

R

to restrain

vsto stifle

26 4.6

Keep strong feelings under control so you do not act on them

is used mainly for stopping expression, feelings, or growth rather than only acts

K

to keep a lid on

vsto stifle

• Informal

21 5.0

To control something so it does not grow or become known

is often general, not only about hiding facts or keeping secrets

M

to muffle

vsto stifle

19 5.8

To make a sound or feeling quieter so it is less noticeable

usually implies a fuller stopping rather than only making something quieter

S

to squelch

vsto stifle

13 7.8

Completely stop protests or criticism

is often less forceful and can mean simply holding back rather than crushing

K

to keep back

vsto stifle

12 5.1

Stop yourself from showing an emotion like tears or laughter

is broader, also used for preventing long-term growth or spread

P

to put a lid on

vsto stifle

• US

12 6.4

To stop something from continuing or becoming known

is more about stopping expression or development rather than just publicity

T

to tamp down

vsto stifle

11 5.7

Reduce the strength of feelings or public anger

is broader, covering outright stopping or preventing development, not only easing intensity

C

to choke back

vsto stifle

5 7.0

Stop yourself from showing a feeling when you want to cry

tends to be broader, covering both actions and emotional control

S

to stymie

vsto stifle

5 8.0

To stop or slow progress

is used for stopping emotions, reactions, or expression rather than only blocking progress

Q

to quench

vsto stifle

3 6.1

To stop a feeling or action completely

is often less absolute, allowing holding back rather than full ending

C

to choke down

vsto stifle

2 7.7

To stop yourself from showing strong feelings like sadness or anger

is also used for stopping other expressions or growth, not only feelings

I

to inhibit

vsto stifle

2 6.3

Make someone unable to act naturally or show feelings

often describes an internal or built-in constraint rather than a deliberate act

S

to smother one's anger

vsto stifle

• Informal

7.5

To stop yourself from showing angry feelings

is broader, used for many emotions, reactions, and developments

H

to hold back one's laughter

vsto stifle

3.7

To stop yourself from making a sound when something is funny

is broader, used for many emotions, reactions, or developments

Antonyms

R

to release

∞ 1.8

To let someone or something go free from being held

E

to express

∞ 2.3

To show ideas and feelings by words or actions

S

to stimulate

185 3.7

Make a person or thing more active, alert and responsive

Phrasal Verbs

S

to stifle innovation

3 6.8

Prevent new ideas and methods from growing in a company or group

S

to stifle individuality

1 7.7

To stop people from showing their own style or ideas

How Suppressed

to quash

• Formal

14 8.1

to suppress

151 4.8

to stifle

71 5.3

to restrain

26 4.6

to hold back

86 4.2

Surface Forms

Etymology