As an adjective:
* Suppressing or restricting: "The stifling heat made it impossible to enjoy the outdoor concert." This implies a sense of suffocation or being unable to breathe freely.
* Oppressive or suffocating: "The stifling atmosphere in the office made it difficult to concentrate." This refers to a feeling of constraint or being unable to express oneself freely.
As a verb:
* To suppress or restrict: "The government stifled any dissent against its policies." This implies actively preventing something from happening or being expressed.
* To choke or suffocate: "The smoke from the fire stifled the flames." This refers to a physical action of blocking air or movement.
In general:
"Stifling" often conveys a sense of being trapped, unable to breathe, or restricted in some way. It can refer to both physical and metaphorical situations, highlighting the feeling of being unable to function or express oneself freely.