godan verb (-ru), intransitive verb
breathtaking; stifling; suffocating
Describes an atmosphere, situation, or tension so intense that it feels hard to breathe; often used for suspense, pressure, or oppressive silence.
会議室は息詰まるような緊張感に包まれていた。
The meeting room was filled with a suffocating tension.
試合の終盤は息詰まる展開だった。
The final stages of the match were breathtakingly close.