stifle
/ˈstaɪfəl/
verb
- To prevent someone from breathing easily, or to have difficulty breathing, often by pressing on the throat or chest.
- Smoke from the fire made it hard to breathe and almost stifled the firefighters.
- The pillow nearly stifled the sleeping child.
- He felt like the tight collar was stifling him.
- To stop something from happening, developing, or being expressed; to suppress.
- Her parents' strict rules stifled her creativity.
- The government tried to stifle all criticism of its policies.
- He stifled a yawn during the long meeting.
- To feel or cause a feeling of being trapped or restricted, especially by a lack of fresh air or freedom.
- The small, windowless room stifled the students on a hot day.
- The heavy curtains stifled the air in the old house.
- She felt stifled by the boring routine of her job.