Stifling means to make someone feel constrained, restricted, or suffocated, usually by limiting their freedom or inhibiting their growth or expression.

"The complexities of starting a new company is stifling innovation"

The word stifling is a present participle verb, an adjective, and a verbal noun (gerund). Examples:

Verb: My manager is stifling my career as a musician.

Adjective: It is stifling hot today.

Noun: Stifling will not be tolerated, each student must be allowed to speak freely.

In the Summer.

stifling