Stifle – 1. Suffocate 2. To prevent from happening

(Pronounced sty-full)

To remember the definition of the word stifle, use the following mnemonic:

The sty was so full (stifle) of pigs that the farmer thought they might suffocate. She had to prevent it from happening.

Examples of stifle in a sentence (To prevent from happening)

I had to stifle my anger in front of him.

She pulls up a stool and sits down next to us, watching intently, still unable to stifle her laughter.

She pretended to stifle a yawn.

Examples of stifle in a sentence (To suffocate)

Those in the streets were stifled by the fumes.

Since I have respiratory issues, I often find the odour of cigarette smoke to be quite stifling.

I felt I was stifling in the airless room.