stiflingstif‧ling /ˈstaɪflɪŋ/ adjective 
a stifling, crowded train the stifling heat of the tropics2a situation that is stifling stops you from developing your own ideas and character: an emotionally stifling relationship
EXAMPLES FROM OTHER DICTIONARIES
- It was stifling in there; I was glad to get out.
- It was difficult to work in the stifling heat of the warehouse.
- the city's stifling bureaucracy
- The heat in the narrow packed streets was stifling.
- The room was stifling hot.
- However, for the present, these characteristics are largely contained within the stifling constraints of the music industry's commodity forms.
- In summer Venice is crammed with tourists and the heat is often stifling, but autumn is perfect for a short break.
- Tempers frayed in the stifling atmosphere of blaring speakers and flashing lights.
- The dark red and damson robes were heavy and stifling and they could not possibly be what she was looking for.
- The people have the spirit to overthrow oppression, but their imagination can't yet cope with overturning their stifling bureaucracy.
Longman Language Activatorwhen there is not enough fresh air
a room or building that is stuffy does not have enough fresh air, often because it is small or there are too many people in it: · The hotel room was hot and stuffy, and I woke up with a terrible headache.· It's getting stuffy in here -- shall I open the window?· I wish I could escape from this stuffy little office.
a room or building that is airless feels like it does not have enough air in it for you to breathe properly: · The classroom was airless and uncomfortably hot. · Hales lived in a tiny, airless room with one small window that wouldn't open.
very hot and uncomfortable, and without enough air for you to breathe properly: · It was stifling in there; I was glad to get out.· The heat in the narrow packed streets was stifling.stifling hot: · The room was stifling hot.
room/place/weather · The weather's been very hot lately.· I make a lot of salads during hot weather.· a hot summer's day· The Gobi desert is one of the hottest places on earth.it's hot · It's hot in here. Isn't the air conditioner working?· It was much too hot in his office to do any work.· It's going to be a hot, sunny day.
high temperatures caused by hot weather, especially when this makes you feel uncomfortable in a room or outdoors: · Don't leave food sitting out in the heat.· the heat and dryness of an Arizona summer the heat of the day: · Avoid running or other vigorous exercise during the heat of the day.
spoken very hot: · It was a boiling hot day in August.it's boiling/boiling hot: · Leave the door open, it's boiling in here.
American, especially spoken very hot and uncomfortable: · a broiling summer daybroiling heat: · the incredible broiling heat of a Mississippi summerbroiling sun: · Troops stood at attention under a broiling noon sun.
weather that is baking or baking hot is very hot and dry: · The weather was baking hot and conditions at the camp became unbearable.it's baking/baking hot: · It's baking in here -- I need a drink.
especially written weather that is sweltering is very hot and makes you feel wet and uncomfortable: · Everyone headed for the beach on that sweltering summer afternoon.sweltering heat: · The soldiers marched on in the sweltering heat.
a room or enclosed space that is stifling or stifling hot is very hot and is difficult to breathe in: · The room was stifling hot, and full of flies.· The subway stations are stifling, and reek of urine.stifling heat: · Helen sat uncomfortably in the stifling heat of the railway carriage.
weather that is muggy or humid makes you feel uncomfortable because the air feels wet, warm, and heavy: · In June the weather was often muggy in the evenings and it was difficult to get to sleep.· The climate stays hot and humid all summer long.it's muggy/humid: · It's been really muggy the last few days, so we haven't done much.
weather or heat that is oppressive is very hot and unpleasant, especially because it feels as if there is not enough air to breathe: · As the sun climbed higher in the sky, the heat grew gradually more oppressive.oppressive heat: · Despite the oppressive heat, more than 1,000 people came to the celebration.
a room or enclosed space that is like an oven is extremely hot and uncomfortable: · The heat of the day made the gymnasium feel like an oven.it's like an oven: · It's like an oven in here. Let's open some windows.
a period of unusually hot weather: · There was a heatwave during the first part of July.· A long summer heatwave had turned the river into a weak trickle of water.
COLLOCATIONS FROM THE ENTRY the stifling heat of the tropicsCOLLOCATIONS FROM OTHER ENTRIES
1a room or weather that is stifling is very hot and uncomfortable, so that it seems difficult to breathe: the stifling heat of the tropics (=extreme heat)· The desert is a place of scorching heat by day and bitter cold by night.
(=used about weather that is very hot and uncomfortable) The office gets unbearably hot in summer.
The office gets unbearably hot in summer. a stifling, crowded train the stifling heat of the tropics2a situation that is stifling stops you from developing your own ideas and character: an emotionally stifling relationship