ENGLISH
REFERENCE

suffocating

adj.
B2 Upper Intermediate US //ˈsəfəˌkeɪtɪŋ// UK //sˈʌfəkˌeɪtɪŋ// suf·fo·cat·ing

adj. making it very difficult to breathe or feeling like you have no freedom. You use this to describe a room that is too hot or a situation that feels too controlling.

adj. causing difficulty in breathing due to a lack of fresh air; metaphorically describes a situation or relationship that feels restrictive or overwhelming. Often used predicatively after linking verbs like 'feel' or 'seem'.


SIMPLE

The heat in this small room is suffocating.

CONTEXTUAL

She found the strict rules of her new office suffocating and decided to look for a more flexible job.

COMPLEX

The humid air in the valley became suffocating as the storm approached, trapping the heat against the earth and making even the slightest physical exertion feel like a struggle.

Synonyms
Usage

Commonly used both literally for physical air quality and figuratively for social or emotional restriction.

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