From Longman Dictionary of Contemporary Englishstiflesti‧fle /ˈstaɪfəl/ verb 1 [transitive]PREVENT to stop something from happening or developing OPP encourage rules and regulations that stifle innovation How can this party stifle debate on such a crucial issue?2 [transitive]PREVENT to stop a feeling from being expressed He stifled an urge to hit her.stifle a yawn/smile/grin etc I tried to stifle my laughter.3 [intransitive, transitive]BREATHE# if you are stifled by something, it stops you breathing comfortably → suffocate He was almost stifled by the fumes. I felt like I was stifling in the humid air.Grammar Stifle is usually passive in this meaning, when used as a transitive verb.→ See Verb table
Examples from the Corpus
stifle• Apparently satisfied, the man leaned back, stifling a choking, coughing fit.• Maria looked away and stifled a giggle.• She stifled a yawn as the boss read out the sales figures.• She leapt to her feet with a cry which was instantly stifled by a mouthful of insects.• Outside the wintry sunlight had been stifled by cloud and Blanche saw pedestrians begin to walk past with glistening umbrellas.• Indications of tangible progress in the late 1930s were stifled by the constraints of war.• One wonders whether that overt gesture really was meant to stifle covert action.• Martial law continues to stifle political debate in the country.• She stifled the urge to scream.stifled ... urge• She stifled an urge to brain her son with it, and instead placed it in the sink.• As he felt Joe begin fumbling with his trousers Michael stifled an urge to slam his fist into Joe's head.Origin stifle (1300-1400) Probably from Old French estouffer “to stifle” 