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.