What context can I use each word in?
Learn when and how to use these words with these examples!
repress
Example
She tried to repress her anger and remain calm. [repress: verb]
Example
The government tried to repress the news of the protest. [repress: verb]
stifle
Example
The rain stifled our plans for a picnic. [stifled: past tense]
Example
He tried to stifle his laughter during the serious meeting. [stifle: verb]
Good things to know
Which word is more common?
Repress and stifle are both less common words and may not be frequently used in everyday conversation. However, repress is more commonly used in psychology or therapy contexts, while stifle is more commonly used in physical contexts such as sports or medicine.
Whatโs the difference in the tone of formality between repress and stifle?
Both repress and stifle are formal words and may not be appropriate for casual or informal situations. However, repress may be considered more formal due to its association with psychology and therapy contexts.
