stifled

USAGE SUMMARY

"stifled" is a correct and usable word in written English.
It is used to describe a feeling of being held back, restricted, or suppressed. For example: "The oppressive heat outside stifled any desire he had to go on an adventure."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Formal & Business

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

Jones stifled Ryan Giggs and launched a couple of forward raids of his own during an outstanding debut that earned him the man of the match award.

The Guardian - Sport

It would be regrettable if that debate was stifled.

The Guardian - Opinion

He said freedom of speech had been stifled by the new authorities.

The Guardian

We have stifled all civilized and productive debate".

The Guardian - Opinion

Ms Grindoz went on to complain that elements of civil society in the capital, Lao and international alike, are so cowed by the restrictions they face as to be, in effect, stifled by a system of self-censorship.Several other NGO workers have fled in fear for their own safety during the past two weeks.

The Economist

Nonetheless, the government's recent reversals have stifled a nascent peace process nurtured by Norway and undermined a search for consensus on the Tamil issue between Sri Lanka's main political parties.Colombo is calm, but grim.

The Economist

And nowhere are France's aspirations to excellence stifled more comprehensively by the weight of regulation than on the campuses of its universities.

The Economist

He says that executives at TEPCO and the other oligopolistic electricity utilities have stifled argument about Japan's nuclear-energy programme, both by pouring money into politics and by muffling the media through their huge advertising budgets.Yet those anxious for change note approvingly that even on energy policy, power has now shifted slightly towards local and regional governments.

The Economist

The euro's sharp recovery has stifled the gripes of Europe's politicians about both the ECB's policies and its president, Wim Duisenberg.

The Economist

The tussle over gay rights has drawn attention away from Mr Museveni's increasingly autocratic rule, under which dissent is often violently stifled.

The Economist

Tchaikovsky had also to confront an ominous personal drama that almost stifled the opera at birth.As the composer laboured to make music out of Pushkin's tragic tale the rejection of an epistolary declaration of love which is later regretted he received an unexpected love letter of his own from one of his students at the music conservatory.

The Economist

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "stifled" when you want to convey that something has been forcibly held back, suppressed, or prevented from developing fully. Consider the emotional or impactful connotation the word carries, and whether it is the best fit for your intended meaning.

Common error

Avoid using "stifled" solely for literal instances of suffocation or blocking. While technically accurate, the word is more potent when used metaphorically to describe suppressed growth, expression, or progress.

Linguistic Context

The word "stifled" functions primarily as a past participle or adjective, describing a state where something has been suppressed or held back. As Ludwig AI confirms, it is a correct and commonly used word in English.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

54%

Formal & Business

23%

Science

23%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "stifled" is a versatile word functioning as a past participle or adjective, indicating suppression or constraint. As Ludwig AI confirms, it is used correctly and frequently in English. Its usage spans neutral registers and is commonly found in News & Media sources. When writing, it's best to reserve this word for contexts where something is actively being held back, as opposed to simply delayed. The related phrases, like "suppressed" or "restrained", offer nuanced alternatives depending on the desired emphasis. Therefore, understanding the subtle implications and contexts is crucial to effectively employing "stifled" in writing.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

Suppressed

Focuses on the act of preventing something from being expressed or known.

Restrained

Highlights the control or limitation imposed on something or someone.

Muted

Emphasizes a reduction in intensity or volume, often in the context of expression.

Curtailed

Implies a reduction or limitation in duration or extent.

Impeded

Stresses the obstruction or hindrance of progress or action.

Repressed

Suggests a subconscious or forceful suppression of feelings or desires.

Thwarted

Indicates the successful prevention of a plan or effort.

Smothered

Implies an overwhelming suppression, often in a figurative sense.

Asphyxiated

Relates directly to the deprivation of oxygen, but can be used metaphorically.

Choked

Highlights the blockage or obstruction of something, either literally or figuratively.

FAQs

How is "stifled" typically used in a sentence?

"Stifled" is often used to describe the suppression of growth, expression, or progress. For example, "Innovation was "stifled" by excessive regulation."

What words can I use instead of "stifled"?

Alternatives to "stifled" include "suppressed", "restrained", or "muted", depending on the specific nuance you wish to convey.

Is it correct to say something is "stifled" if it is merely delayed?

While "stifled" implies a degree of prevention or suppression, "delayed" is a more accurate term if something is simply postponed rather than actively prevented from happening.

What's the difference between "stifled" and "repressed"?

"Stifled" suggests an external force preventing something from developing, while "repressed" often implies an internal or psychological suppression. For example, "His creativity was stifled by the rigid rules" versus "Her memories were repressed due to trauma."