stifle
To restrain, suppress, or prevent from happening
Examples
In a meeting
“Micromanagement can stifle creativity and innovation in teams.”
Over coffee
“I had to stifle a laugh during that serious conversation.”
Why this word
suppress
stifle implies suffocating or completely preventing expression, while suppress means holding back with effort
restrain
stifle suggests smothering or choking off completely, while restrain means controlling or limiting
inhibit
stifle emphasizes complete prevention through suffocation, while inhibit means hindering or reducing without total elimination
Usage tip
Use when something is being suppressed or prevented from natural expression or growth
Etymology
Old French 'estouffer' (to smother), possibly from Germanic origin
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Related words
circumscribe
To restrict or limit something within bounds
hamper
To hinder or impede the movement or progress of something
constrain
To limit or restrict within certain boundaries
broach
To bring up or introduce a topic for discussion
streamline
To make a process or system more efficient by simplifying or eliminating unnecessary steps.
delegate
To assign a task or responsibility to someone else.