stifle him

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "stifle him" is correct and usable in written English. You can use it in contexts where someone is trying to suppress or restrain another person's expression or actions. Example: "In the heated debate, she tried to stifle him with her constant interruptions." Alternative expressions include "silence him" and "suppress him."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

10 human-written examples

Murdoch's humility did not stifle him for long.

The Guardian

The Orangemen intend to stifle him with their patented 2-3 zone defense.

The New York Times - Sports

It is like complimenting your younger brother after you stifle him in one-on-one again.

The New York Times - Sports

Younger than most and smaller than all of his team-mates, he nonetheless continued to dominate games, despite opponents often deploying brutal tactics to stifle him.

The Guardian - Sport

Rising around him was the sharp smell of dry trees, the dander of grubby monkey fur, boiled beans, burned meat, foul water, until the darkness itself seemed to stifle him.

The New Yorker

Sharon has no policy or strategy for the 'day after.' " There is no moral equivalence between Arafat and Sharon: the first thrives on the idealization of martyrdom; the other now blunders while trying to stifle him.

The New Yorker

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

49 human-written examples

Scripts stifled him.

The New York Times - Arts

The Bears stifled him thereafter.

The New York Times - Sports

Far from stifling him, the government endorses his criticisms.

The Economist

"The place was stifling him, he said: the social obsequiousness, the medieval religiosity, the historical mendacities".

The Guardian - Books

But, Gourevitch notes, far from stifling him, "imprisonment has led him to much of his best writing".

The New Yorker

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Consider the connotations of "stifle"; it can suggest a deliberate and sometimes oppressive act of restraint. Choose it when this nuance is relevant to your message.

Common error

While grammatically correct, "stifle him" can sound overly formal or dramatic in everyday conversation. Opt for more casual alternatives like "stop him" or "hush him" in informal settings.

Linguistic Context

Stifle him functions as a verb phrase where "stifle" is a transitive verb and "him" is the direct object. It typically describes an action of suppressing, restraining, or hindering someone. Ludwig confirms its grammatical correctness.

Expression frequency: Uncommon

Frequent in

News & Media

60%

Wiki

20%

Science

10%

Less common in

Formal & Business

5%

Encyclopedias

3%

Reference

2%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "stifle him" is a grammatically correct verb phrase used to describe the act of suppressing or restraining someone. According to Ludwig, this phrase is commonly used in news and media, and wiki contexts. While it's considered acceptable, remember to consider the context and register when using it, opting for more casual alternatives in informal settings. Common alternatives include "inhibit him", "curb him" and "silence him". When choosing to use this phrase consider the best practices outlined which suggest that it is especially useful in situations where power dynamics are at play. The examples provided in Ludwig demonstrate its versatile application across diverse scenarios.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

Inhibit him

Implies a more general restraint, preventing free action or expression, less forceful than "stifle".

Curb him

Suggests a limitation or control on his actions or behavior, focusing on keeping him within certain boundaries.

Silence him

Focuses specifically on preventing him from speaking or expressing his opinions.

Thwart him

Indicates actively preventing him from achieving a goal or plan.

Suppress him

Suggests a more forceful and comprehensive effort to subdue or control him.

Restrain him

Implies holding him back or limiting his physical or emotional expression.

Hinder him

Means to create difficulties for someone or something, resulting in delay or obstruction.

Impede him

Suggests slowing his progress or making his actions more difficult.

Obstruct him

Indicates blocking or preventing his progress or actions, often physically or figuratively.

Check him

To control or regulate someone's actions or behaviour.

FAQs

How can I use "stifle him" in a sentence?

You can use "stifle him" to describe actions taken to suppress someone's expression or freedom. For example, "The government was accused of trying to stifle him through censorship."

What are some alternatives to "stifle him"?

Depending on the context, you could use alternatives like "inhibit him", "curb him", or "silence him".

Is it appropriate to use "stifle him" in formal writing?

Yes, "stifle him" is suitable for formal writing, especially when discussing issues of censorship, oppression, or control.

What is the difference between "stifle him" and "support him"?

"Stifle him" means to suppress or restrain someone, while "support him" means to encourage or assist someone. They are antonyms.