stifle

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sti|fle /st'aɪfəl/ (stifles stifling stifled)
1 [VERB] V n
If someone stifles something you consider to be a good thing, they prevent it from continuing.
Critics have accused the US of trying to stifle debate.
= repress
2 [VERB] V n
If you stifle a yawn or laugh, you prevent yourself from yawning or laughing.
She makes no attempt to stifle a yawn...
= suppress
3 [VERB] V n
If you stifle your natural feelings or behaviour, you prevent yourself from having those feelings or behaving in that way.
It is best to stifle curiosity and leave birds' nests alone...
= suppress

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