verb
- to suppress or restrain something
- to prevent someone from breathing normally; to suffocate
noun
- the joint in the hind leg of a horse or other four-legged animal
Usage: veterinary; equestrian
Examples
- The oppressive heat seemed to stifle everyone’s energy.
- She tried to stifle her laughter during the serious meeting.
- The thick smoke began to stifle the firefighters.
- New regulations could stifle innovation in the tech industry.
- He put his hand over his mouth to stifle a yawn.
- The veterinarian examined the horse’s injured stifle.
- Don’t stifle your creativity with too many rules.