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Stifle

/stˈaɪfəl/
B2
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(verb) To make (an animal or person) unconscious or cause (an animal or person) to die by preventing breathing; to smother, to suffocate.

Why do you stifle me so by complaining?
She tried to stifle a sneeze during the concert but she couldn't hold it back.
CEFR Practice Quiz
She tried hard to ____ a yawn during the long and boring meeting, but it was almost impossible.

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