Something that suppresses, hinders, or prevents the development or expression of something else; a person or thing that stifles.
From 'stifle,' possibly derived from Old French 'estouffer' meaning 'to smother.' The suffix '-er' makes it mean 'one who stifles' or 'that which stifles.'
A stifler works by suffocation—it literally smothers growth, creativity, or expression, which is why it's the perfect word for anything that kills potential, from bad management to censorship!
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