stif ‧ ling /ˈstaɪflɪŋ/ BrE AmE adjective
1 . a room or weather that is stifling is very hot and uncomfortable, so that it seems difficult to breathe:
a stifling, crowded train
the stifling heat of the tropics
2 . a situation that is stifling stops you from developing your own ideas and character:
an emotionally stifling relationship