What does the word "stifled" mean in the third paragraph？A．Aggravated.B．Lessened.C．Suppres

What does the word "stifled" mean in the third paragraph？

A．Aggravated.

B．Lessened.

C．Suppressed.

D．Accelerated.

请帮忙给出正确答案和分析，谢谢！