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Synonyms

stifling

American  
[stahy-fling] / ˈstaɪ flɪŋ /

adjective

  1. suffocating; oppressively close.

    the stifling atmosphere of the cavern.
stifling British  
/ ˈstaɪflɪŋ /

adjective

  1. oppressively hot or stuffy

    a stifling atmosphere
"Collins English Dictionary — Complete & Unabridged" 2012 Digital Edition © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012

Other Word Forms

  • stiflingly adverb
  • unstifling adjective

Etymology

Origin of stifling

First recorded in 1550–60; stifle 1 + -ing 2

Example Sentences

Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.

Business leaders have also privately complained that migrating all online services onto Max risks stifling innovation and limiting Russia’s ability to compete with China and the U.S.

From The Wall Street Journal

It harms participants by stifling both plan modernization and the expansion of employer-provided benefits in the voluntary system we have.

From The Wall Street Journal

Galsworthy’s heroes represent the way new money can be trapped between stifling tradition and modern realities, but our social boundaries are constantly shifting.

From Salon

He has also spearheaded efforts to reform a woefully slow acquisition system, minimize stifling regulations, and take advantage of an innovative private sector.

From The Wall Street Journal

There was the stifling stench of smoke all about us.

From Literature

Definitions and idiom definitions from Dictionary.com Unabridged, based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023

Idioms from The American Heritage® Idioms Dictionary copyright © 2002, 2001, 1995 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company.