étouffant

stifling

adjective eh-too-FAHN Rare

Origin: from étouffer (to stifle, suffocate)

Also means

suffocating

Usage Note

Étouffant describes heat or an atmosphere so oppressive it is hard to breathe; une chaleur étouffante is a fixed collocation. Figuratively it describes a relationship or environment that leaves no room for freedom, much like English 'suffocating'.

Examples

"La chaleur étouffante rendait le travail difficile."

Natural Translation

The stifling heat made work difficult.

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