1. making it difficult to breathe; oppressively hot and airless
The stifling heat made it hard to concentrate.
O calor sufocante dificultava a concentração.
2. suppressing or inhibiting something; preventing freedom or expression
The stifling rules of the institution limited creative expression.
As regras abafadoras da instituição limitavam a expressão criativa.
3. present participle of stifle: to suppress, restrain, or suffocate
He was stifling a yawn during the meeting.
Ele estava sufocando um bocejo durante a reunião.