Extremely hot and airless, making it difficult to breathe; or preventing someone from growing or expressing themselves.
From 'stifle,' which comes from Old French 'etouffer' meaning 'to smother,' combined with the suffix '-ing' to create the present participle.
Stifling heat kills people in ways we don't usually think about—humidity above 95°F makes it impossible for human sweat to evaporate, so bodies overheat within hours even in air-conditioned buildings if power fails.
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