How do you use "Stifling" in a sentence?

It's stifling in here. Stifling heat. Absolutely stifling. The office is stifling.

Stifling

Q: What does "Stifling" mean?

Oppressively hot and airless Stifling describes heat that feels claustrophobic—the air is thick, heavy, and seems to resist being breathed. Unlike 'scorching' (which implies outdoor sun), stifling often describes indoor spaces without ventilation, or humid conditions where the air itself feels like a warm blanket. It's not just hot; it's oppressive in a way that makes you desperate for fresh air or air conditioning.

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含义: Oppressively hot and airless

闷热难耐、令人窒息的热

Calor sofocante y sin aire

息苦しいほど暑い、蒸し暑い

숨 막히게 덥고 답답한

Stifling describes heat that feels claustrophobic—the air is thick, heavy, and seems to resist being breathed. Unlike 'scorching' (which implies outdoor sun), stifling often describes indoor spaces without ventilation, or humid conditions where the air itself feels like a warm blanket. It's not just hot; it's oppressive in a way that makes you desperate for fresh air or air conditioning.

'Stifling'形容一种令人感到窒息的热——空气浓重、沉闷，似乎难以呼吸。与暗示户外阳光的'scorching'不同，stifling通常描述没有通风的室内空间，或者空气本身像温暖毯子一样的潮湿环境。不仅仅是热，而是一种让人迫切需要新鲜空气或空调的压迫感。

'Stifling' describe un calor que resulta claustrofóbico: el aire es denso, pesado y parece resistirse a ser respirado. A diferencia de 'scorching' (que implica sol al aire libre), stifling describe a menudo espacios interiores sin ventilación, o condiciones húmedas donde el aire se siente como una manta caliente. No es solo calor; es opresivo de una manera que te hace desear desesperadamente aire fresco o aire acondicionado.

「スタイフリング」は閉塞感を感じるほどの暑さを表す。空気が重く、呼吸しにくい感じがする。屋外の日差しを連想させる「scorching」と違い、換気のない室内や、空気自体が温かい毛布のように感じる湿度の高い状況でよく使われる。単に暑いだけでなく、新鮮な空気やエアコンが切実に欲しくなるような圧迫感がある。

stifling은 밀폐된 듯한 더위를 묘사한다—공기가 두껍고 무거워서 숨쉬기조차 힘든 느낌이다. 'scorching'(야외 햇볕을 연상시키는)과 달리, stifling은 환기가 안 되는 실내 공간이나 공기 자체가 따뜻한 담요 같은 습한 조건을 묘사하는 경우가 많다. 단순히 더운 게 아니라 답답하고 억압적이어서 신선한 공기나 에어컨이 간절해지는 상태다.

例句

It's stifling in here.
这里闷热得让人喘不过气
Aquí hace un calor sofocante
ここは息苦しいほど暑い
여기 숨 막히게 더워.
Stifling heat.
闷热
Calor asfixiante
蒸し暑さ
숨 막히는 더위.
Absolutely stifling.
简直令人窒息
Absolutamente sofocante
本当に息苦しい
정말 숨 막혀.
The office is stifling.
办公室闷热极了
La oficina está sofocante
オフィスが蒸し暑い
사무실이 숨 막힐 정도로 더워.

发音

/ˈstaɪflɪŋ/

用法指南

语境: heat, discomfort, airless

语气: descriptive, uncomfortable

✓ 正确说法

Stifling.
闷热
Sofocante
蒸し暑い
숨 막힐 정도로 더워.
It's stifling.
闷得喘不过气来
Es sofocante
息苦しいほど暑い
숨 막히게 더워.
Stifling heat.
令人窒息的热浪
Un calor sofocante
うだるような暑さ
숨 막히는 더위.

✗ 错误说法

Not for dry heat with a breeze—use 'scorching' instead
不用于有风的干热（用'scorching'代替）
No usar para calor seco con brisa (usar 'scorching')
風のある乾燥した暑さには使わない（「scorching」を使う）
바람이 부는 건조한 더위에는 사용하지 말 것—대신 'scorching'을 사용
Avoid for outdoor settings unless there's no wind and high humidity
除非没有风且湿度高，否则不用于户外
Evitar en exteriores a menos que no haya viento y la humedad sea alta
風がなく湿度が高くなければ、屋外には使わない
바람이 없고 습도가 높은 상황이 아니면 야외에는 사용을 피할 것

常见错误

Confusing with 'sweltering'—stifling emphasizes airlessness while sweltering emphasizes sweating
Using for pleasant warmth—stifling is always negative and uncomfortable

起源与历史

From the Middle English 'stiflen,' meaning to suffocate or smother, which likely derived from Old Norse 'stífla' (to dam up or stop). The word evokes the sensation of having one's breath literally suppressed by thick, hot air. By the 17th century, it was commonly used to describe oppressive heat conditions, particularly in enclosed spaces.

词源: From stifle (suffocate)

最早记录: Traditional English

文化背景

Era: Traditional

Generation: All ages

Social background: Universal

Pop culture: Universal usage; Hot weather

Regional notes: Universal term for oppressive heat.

变体

StiflingStifling hotAbsolutely stifling