as in to gasp
to breathe hard, quickly, or with difficulty
he was so nervous he began hyperventilating, and the extra oxygen made him dizzy
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Recent Examples of hyperventilate
For full effect read it aloud and hyperventilate a little.
—
Krista Kafer, Denver Post, 19 May 2025
Then Tanev left the game, and fans were probably hyperventilating.
—James Mirtle, New York Times, 10 May 2025
Here’s a question for the hyperventilating media.
—Neal B. Freeman, National Review, 19 Feb. 2025
But Min-su ends up hyperventilating as Nam-gyu stabs her to death anyway.
—Jennifer Zhan, Vulture, 26 Dec. 2024
See All Example Sentences for hyperventilate
Krista Kafer, Denver Post, 19 May 2025
Then Tanev left the game, and fans were probably hyperventilating.
—James Mirtle, New York Times, 10 May 2025
Here’s a question for the hyperventilating media.
—Neal B. Freeman, National Review, 19 Feb. 2025
But Min-su ends up hyperventilating as Nam-gyu stabs her to death anyway.
—Jennifer Zhan, Vulture, 26 Dec. 2024
See All Example Sentences for hyperventilate
Recent Examples of Synonyms for hyperventilate
Verb
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The fears of my imagination, the possibility of losing a child due to one inattentive moment, all combined to leave me gasping for breath.—
Adam Verner
September 3,
Literary Hub,
3 Sep. 2025
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After a moment, the woman gasped for air.—
Michelle L. Quinn,
Chicago Tribune,
30 Aug. 2025
Verb
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Howard’s best comedies have a light, almost effortless touch, but this one is panting and gasping essentially from the opening frames.—
Will Leitch,
Vulture,
22 Aug. 2025
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Grapent Wide-Leg Pants with Waist Ties A ruffled paperbag waist with drawstring ties makes these wide-leg khaki pants extra comfortable.—
Jamie Allison Sanders,
People.com,
21 Aug. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Hyperventilate.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/hyperventilate. Accessed 10 Sep. 2025.
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