stifle

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "stifle" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used when referring to suppressing or restraining something, such as emotions, actions, or ideas. Example: "The harsh criticism seemed to stifle her creativity, making it difficult for her to express herself freely."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Formal & Business

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

It is not about the absence of religion but the absence of religious power, a freedom from patriarchal straightjackets that might stifle our lives, dreams and aspirations.

The Guardian - Opinion

The disproportionate power of the executive to stifle debate is a widely recognised shortcoming of the Dáil, most starkly illustrated by Kenny's recent refusal to permit a free vote among his party colleagues on the contentious matter of abortion.

The Guardian - Opinion

The technology industry loathes regulation, in part because of the knowledge that government interference can stifle innovation and the speed to market.

The Guardian - Opinion

It's all of these things are combining to stifle people's conversation.

The Guardian - Opinion

Related: WikiLeaks publishes secret draft chapter of Trans-Pacific Partnership Even those who favour opening up markets and liberalising trade oppose the TPP, since its backroom process inherently privileges incumbent industries, giving the largest companies even more market share and more power to set policies that stifle competition and innovation.

The Guardian

The real spur behind the coalition's attack on the working time directive is to be seen by business to be cutting the much hated but vastly over-hyped "red tape" that is supposed to stifle entrepreneurship.

The Guardian - Opinion

Meanwhile, the Conservatives' plan to raise the threshold for public sector strike action, which O'Grady takes as "a desire to stifle any dissent in the workplace against pay unfairness".

The Guardian

"I have myself witnessed repeated instances where there has been a denial of responsibility, corrosive suspicion, deliberate delay and a practice of hiding behind values in order to deflect or stifle criticism and protect self-interest.

The Guardian - Business

Actually, it sounds different enough already to stifle the purists, though doubtless there will be rumbles.

The Guardian

Niamey in Niger, Bamako in Mali, Antananarivo in Madagascar (in southeast Africa) and Conakry in Guinea are all victims of conflict, terrorism, political instability and ethnic tensions, which stifle their potential for growth.

The Guardian

Outside the court, Anwar accused Badawi of orchestrating the prosecution to stifle his growing political power, a charge denied by the government.

The Guardian

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "stifle" when you want to convey the idea of preventing something from fully developing or expressing itself. This word often implies a negative impact on creativity, growth, or freedom of expression.

Common error

Avoid using "stifle" when describing actions that promote control or management unless the context implies a negative consequence. Reserve "stifle" for situations where suppression hinders progress or well-being.

Linguistic Context

The primary grammatical function of "stifle" is a transitive verb, meaning it requires a direct object. Ludwig examples show it being used to describe the act of suppressing or hindering something, such as "stifle debate" or "stifle innovation". According to Ludwig AI, the usage of "stifle" is correct.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

65%

Formal & Business

20%

Science

10%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

2%

Wiki

2%

Social Media

1%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

"Stifle" is a versatile transitive verb used to describe the act of suppressing or hindering something. Ludwig AI confirms its grammatical correctness, and Ludwig examples showcase its frequent use across various contexts, particularly in News & Media and Formal & Business. While alternatives like "suppress" or "inhibit" can be used, "stifle" carries a stronger connotation of deliberate suppression, making it suitable for situations where creativity, progress, or open communication are negatively impacted. When using "stifle", ensure it aligns with the intended meaning of hindering or preventing development, and avoid overusing it in positive contexts where it may not be appropriate.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

suppress

Implies a more forceful and overt act of stopping something from developing or being expressed.

smother

Focuses on preventing something from developing due to lack of resources or oppressive conditions.

repress

Highlights the act of holding back or restraining feelings, desires, or actions.

inhibit

Emphasizes the reduction or prevention of a process, action, or development.

constrain

Indicates limiting someone's freedom of action or expression.

curtail

Implies reducing or restricting something, often gradually or partially.

impede

Signifies delaying or preventing progress or action.

hamper

Suggests making it difficult for someone to do something.

throttle

Implies restricting the flow or output of something, sometimes forcefully.

mute

Focuses on reducing the audibility or prominence of something.

FAQs

How to use "stifle" in a sentence?

You can use "stifle" to describe actions that suppress or restrain something. For example, "The new regulations may "stifle innovation"" or "He tried to "stifle a yawn"".

What can I say instead of "stifle"?

You can use alternatives like "suppress", "smother", "repress", or "inhibit", depending on the specific context.

Which is correct, "stifle creativity" or "foster creativity"?

"Stifle creativity" implies hindering or suppressing creativity, while "foster creativity" implies encouraging or nurturing it. The choice depends on the intended meaning.

What's the difference between "stifle" and "constrain"?

"Stifle" often suggests preventing something from fully developing or expressing itself, whereas "constrain" implies limiting someone's freedom of action or expression. Both words involve limitation, but "stifle" has a stronger connotation of suppression.