EnglishMain Dictionary
stifle
Universal Words
verb
1 [VN] to prevent sth from happening; to prevent a feeling from being expressed:
She managed to stifle a yawn. * to stifle a cry / giggle * They hope the new rules will not stifle creativity. * The government failed to stifle the unrest.
2 to feel unable to breathe, or to make sb unable to breathe, because it is too hot and/or there is no fresh air:
[V] I felt I was stifling in the airless room. * [VN] Most of the victims were stifled by the fumes.
stifling adjective:
a stifling smell / room * 'It's stifling in here-can we open a window?' * At 25, she found family life stifling.
stiflingly adverb:
The room was stiflingly hot.
