stifled

3 definitions • 5 examples

past simple and past participle of

to (cause to) be unable to breathe because you have no air:

He is said to have stifled his victim with a pillow.

We almost stifled in the heat of the city.

to prevent something from happening, being expressed, or continuing:

She stifled a cough/yawn/scream/sneeze.

I don't know how I managed to stifle my anger.

We should be encouraging new ideas, not stifling them.