adj

stifling

STYF-lihng

Stifling (adj) means Oppressively hot, airless, or restrictive. Example: “The stifling heat made it hard to concentrate.”

adj

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 notes

In 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

Word forms

more stifling comparative, stiflings plural, most stifling superlative

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The _____ heat made it hard to concentrate.

Rhymes for stifling

rifling trifling

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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.