Pronunciation: [stˈa͡ɪfə͡l] (IPA) 
The word "stifle" is spelled with the letters S-T-I-F-L-E. In IPA phonetic transcription, it is pronounced as /ˈstaɪ.fəl/. The first syllable, "stai," is pronounced with a long "i" sound as in "ice." The second syllable, "fuh," is pronounced with a schwa sound, similar to the "uh" sound in "butter." The final syllable, "l," is pronounced with an "ul" sound, like the "ul" in "full." Together, these sounds create the word "stifle."
The verb "stifle" is often used to denote the act of suppressing or restraining something, whether it be an emotion, an idea, or any form of dissent. It involves the conscious effort to confine or restrain the occurrence, expression, or development of a particular entity, usually to maintain control or to prevent unwanted consequences.
In terms of emotions, to stifle implies the intentional act of inhibiting or suppressing one's feelings, usually due to societal expectations, personal restraint, or fear of the consequences of expressing those emotions. Similarly, the term can refer to restricting or suffocating the expression of an idea, opinion, or belief, often due to fear or external pressures.
Beyond individual experiences, "stifle" can also be used to describe the suppression or prevention of social or political change, particularly regarding dissent or resistance against an established system. It refers to the deliberate efforts by those in power to suppress opposition or rebellion, often through censorship, restrictions on freedom of speech, or the use of force.
Additionally, "stifle" can refer to physical suffocation or the deliberate act of limiting airflow to something or someone, causing difficulty in breathing. This can happen in a literal sense, such as covering someone's mouth or nose to prevent them from breathing, or figuratively, as in stifling innovation or progress in a particular field or industry.
In summary, "stifle" essentially conveys the deliberate act of suppressing, restraining, or suffocating something, be it an emotion, idea, dissent, or even physical breath.
To stop the breath; to suffocate; to choke; to smother; to suppress; to hinder from spreading, as a report.
Etymological and pronouncing dictionary of the English language. By Stormonth, James, Phelp, P. H. Published 1874.
* The statistics data for these misspellings percentages are collected from over 15,411,110 spell check sessions on www.spellchecker.net from Jan 2010 - Jun 2012.
The word "stifle" originated from the Middle English term "stiflen" which meant "to choke or suffocate". This Middle English word can be traced back to the Old English term "stifian" with a similar meaning. Ultimately, "stifle" can be related to the Proto-Germanic word "stifōną" and the Proto-Indo-European word "stēip-", both of which mean "to compress or cram".
