stifle

/ˈstaɪfl/ (bre, ipa) · /ˈstaɪfl/ (ame, ipa) · /ˈstī-fəl/ (ame, mw)

stifle — verb

  • stiflepresent simple I / you / we / they
  • stifleshe / she / it
  • stifledpast simple
  • stifling-ing form

1. to have difficulty taking in air because there is not enough fresh air, or to st

1.動詞及物 / 不及物B2
釋義

to have difficulty taking in air because there is not enough fresh air, or to stop yourself or someone else from breathing freely — for example, when thick smoke makes it hard to get oxygen, or when you hold back a cough in a quiet room.

例句

Thick smoke filled the burning house, and Wei felt he was stifling.

intransitive: felt he was stifling (in smoky conditions)

During the ceremony, Diego stifled a yawn behind his hand so no one would notice.

transitive: stifle + yawn/cough/laugh

同義詞
  • suffocate

    stronger — implies death or near-death from lack of oxygen

  • choke

    more urgent and physical, often because something is blocking the throat

  • smother

    focuses on covering something completely so air cannot reach it

反義詞

文法句型

stifle + someone/something (cough, yawn, sneeze)

stifle + to-infinitive (rare)

be stifling (weather or room conditions)

用法筆記

Frequently used transitively with physical actions like a cough, yawn, or sneeze. The intransitive form (be stifling / begin to stifle) is common for describing hot, airless conditions.

常見錯誤

❌The heavy pillow stifled him to death.
✅The heavy pillow suffocated him.
💡'stifle' usually means to suppress or hold back breathing or a sound, not to cause death by lack of air.
❌I stifled because I ran too fast.
✅I was gasping for air because I ran too fast.
💡'stifle' implies a physical lack of air in a confined or smoky space, not simply heavy breathing from exercise.

2. to stop something from developing, being said, or continuing in the way it natur

2.動詞及物B2
釋義

to stop something from developing, being said, or continuing in the way it naturally would — used especially when rules, systems, or people restrict new ideas, honest discussion, or natural feelings.

例句

The new manager's strict rules stifled all creative thinking among the design team.

stifle + creative thinking / innovation

When the boss criticised her idea unfairly, Sofia stifled her frustration and stayed silent.

同義詞
  • suppress

    stronger and more deliberate, often with force or authority

  • smother

    more emotional — suggests covering or hiding something completely

  • quash

    formal; used for legal or official suppression of an action or decision

  • stunt

    focuses on preventing growth or development rather than expression

反義詞

文法句型

stifle + abstract noun (debate, creativity, feeling, dissent, growth)

stifle + someone's + abstract noun

用法筆記

Subject is often an institution, authority figure, or set of rules. The object is typically an abstract noun such as debate, creativity, innovation, dissent, or emotion. Not used with concrete physical objects.

常見錯誤

❌The police stifled the criminal.
✅The police arrested the criminal.
💡'stifle' is not used for physically stopping a person; use it for abstract things like ideas, feelings, or discussions.
❌The new teacher stifled the students by giving them too much homework.
✅The new teacher overwhelmed the students by giving them too much homework.
💡'stifle' implies restricting growth or expression, not simply making someone busy or tired.

stifle — noun