suffocating

2 definitions • 4 examples

Something that is suffocating makes you feel uncomfortably hot or unable to breathe:

I've got to open the window - it's suffocating in here!

suffocating smoke/fumes

preventing something or someone from improving or developing in a positive way:

The book tells the story of a woman escaping from a suffocating marriage.

It is a land of antiquated social rules and suffocating traditions.