adj
stifling
STYF-lihng
Stifling (adj) means Oppressively hot, airless, or restrictive. Example: “The stifling heat made it hard to concentrate.”
adj
1
Oppressively hot, airless, or restrictive.
"The stifling heat made it hard to concentrate."
"She found the rules of the old office stifling."
How to use stifling
Learner’s notesIn plain EnglishSo oppressive it feels hard to breathe or move freely, whether that is heat or restrictions.
Common pairings
stifling heat
stifling atmosphere
stifling bureaucracy
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Word forms
- Plural
- stiflings
- Comparative
- more stifling
- Superlative
- most stifling
Fill the gap
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The _____ heat made it hard to concentrate.
Synonyms
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Rhymes for stifling
See all rhymes for stifling →Frequently asked questions
What does “stifling” mean?
The word “stifling” means oppressively hot, airless, or restrictive. In plain terms, so oppressive it feels hard to breathe or move freely, whether that is heat or restrictions.
How do you pronounce “stifling”?
“Stifling” is pronounced STYF-lihng (/ˈstaɪflɪŋ/ in IPA).
How do you use “stifling” in a sentence?
Here is “stifling” used in a sentence: “The stifling heat made it hard to concentrate.”
What part of speech is “stifling”?
“Stifling” is an adjective.
