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Stifling: meaning, definitions and examples

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stifling

 

[ ˈstaɪflɪŋ ]

Adjective / Verb
Context #1 | Adjective

weather

Very hot and causing difficulties in breathing; oppressive.

Synonyms

oppressive, suffocating, sweltering

Examples of usage

  • The stifling heat of the summer afternoon made it hard to focus.
  • She felt stifling in the crowded, stuffy room.
  • The stifling humidity made it feel like a sauna outside.
Context #2 | Verb

emotions

Make someone feel constrained or oppressed.

Synonyms

constrain, oppress, smother

Examples of usage

  • The strict rules were stifling her creativity.
  • He felt stifled in the controlling relationship.

Translations

Translations of the word "stifling" in other languages:

🇵🇹 sufocante

🇮🇳 दम घोंटने वाला

🇩🇪 erstickend

🇮🇩 mencekik

🇺🇦 душить

🇵🇱 duszący

🇯🇵 息苦しい

🇫🇷 étouffant

🇪🇸 sofocante

🇹🇷 boğucu

🇰🇷 숨막히는

🇸🇦 خانق

🇨🇿 dusivý

🇸🇰 dusivý

🇨🇳 令人窒息

🇸🇮 dušljiv

🇮🇸 kæfandi

🇰🇿 тұншықтыратын

🇬🇪 მახრჩობელი

🇦🇿 boğucu

🇲🇽 sofocante

Etymology

The word 'stifling' originates from the Old English word 'styflan', meaning 'to choke or suffocate'. Over time, it evolved to represent the feeling of being oppressed or constrained, as well as the extreme heat that can make breathing difficult. The concept of stifling has been a part of human experience for centuries, reflecting the struggle against oppressive conditions both physically and emotionally.

See also: stifle.

Word Frequency Rank

With rank #17,545, this word belongs to specialized vocabulary. While not common in everyday speech, it enriches your ability to express complex ideas.