stifling

Adjective

• characterized by oppressive heat and humidity
  • the summer was sultry and oppressive
    
  • the stifling atmosphere
    
  • the sulfurous atmosphere preceding a thunderstorm
    

Noun

• forceful prevention; putting down by power or authority
  • the suppression of heresy
    
  • the quelling of the rebellion
    
  • the stifling of all dissent
    

Related words

• Synonyms: 
  sultry , sulfurous , sulphurous , suppression , crushing , quelling