wheezed; wheezing
1
: to breathe with difficulty usually with a whistling sound
2
: to make a sound resembling that of wheezing
the bellows wheezed
1
: a sound of wheezing
2
a
: an often repeated and widely known joke used especially by entertainers
b
: a trite saying or proverb
Synonyms
Examples of wheeze in a Sentence
Verb
He was up all night hacking and wheezing.
The car's motor wheezed and stalled.
Noun
Between gasps and wheezes, he tried to explain what had happened.
the wheeze of an engine
We can count on him for a good wheeze.
Recent Examples on the Web
Meg Tirrell, CNN, 9 Aug. 2024
The chronic respiratory disease causes inflammation in the lungs, leading to a narrowing of the small airways — and symptoms ranging from coughing and wheezing to shortness of breath and tightness in the chest.
—Joanne Fowler, Peoplemag, 28 June 2024
Linda Carroll, TIME, 30 May 2024
But for those who sneeze, wheeze, and water as the world begins to bloom, pollen is a less-than-welcome companion to spring.
—Gabriela Riccardi, Quartz, 8 May 2024
See all Example Sentences for wheeze 
These examples are automatically compiled from online sources to
illustrate current usage. Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of
Merriam-Webster or its editors.
Send us feedback
about these examples.
Verb
Symptoms, which typically start within five to 30 minutes of contact with an allergen, include hives, swelling of the throat and other areas, wheezing and passing out.
—Meg Tirrell, CNN, 9 Aug. 2024
The chronic respiratory disease causes inflammation in the lungs, leading to a narrowing of the small airways — and symptoms ranging from coughing and wheezing to shortness of breath and tightness in the chest.
—Joanne Fowler, Peoplemag, 28 June 2024
Noun
But when the 2020 wildfires started pumping thick plumes of ugly black smoke into the southern California sky, the 41-year-old Los Angeles resident began to wheeze.
—Linda Carroll, TIME, 30 May 2024
But for those who sneeze, wheeze, and water as the world begins to bloom, pollen is a less-than-welcome companion to spring.
—Gabriela Riccardi, Quartz, 8 May 2024
See all Example Sentences for wheeze
Dictionary Entries Near wheeze
Cite this Entry
“Wheeze.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/wheeze. Accessed 13 Nov. 2024.
Copy CitationKids Definition
wheeze
1 of 2 verb
ˈhwēz 
ˈwēz
wheezed; wheezing
1
: to breathe with difficulty especially with a whistling sound
2
: to make a sound like wheezing
wheeze
2 of 2 noun
: a wheezing sound
Love words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
Share