sigh

verb

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\ ˈsī

sighed; sighing; sighs

Definition of sigh

(Entry 1 of 2)

intransitive verb

1 : to take a deep audible breath (as in weariness or relief)

2 : to make a sound like sighing wind sighing in the branches

3 : grieve, yearn sighing for days gone by

transitive verb

1 : to express by sighs

2 archaic : to utter sighs over : mourn

sigh

noun

Definition of sigh (Entry 2 of 2)

1 : an often involuntary act of sighing especially when expressing an emotion or feeling (such as weariness or relief)

2 : the sound of gently moving or escaping air sighs of the summer breeze

Other Words from sigh Synonyms More Example Sentences Phrases Containing sigh Learn More About sigh

Examples of sigh in a Sentence

Verb He sighed with relief when he saw that he passed the test. The wind sighed through the trees. “I may never see my old home again,” she sighed.

Recent Examples on the Web: Verb How many of us have learned to sigh, swallow our pain, roll our eyes, and soldier on through the murky waters of a toxically fatphobic culture? — Emma Specter, Vogue, 2 Feb. 2022 In uncertain times, businesses all over the world sigh in exasperation. — Adrian Falk, Forbes, 14 Oct. 2021 There’s an eeriness to the typically euphoric vocals, which sigh and hover over brooding, crashing production like stormy clouds above turbulent seas. — Billboard Staff, Billboard, 8 Oct. 2021 Now, furrow your forehead and sigh in disappointment at the recognition that this culture of ours still fails to either value the work of women or recognize our capacities beyond the possession of a womb and a faculty for baking. — Liz Elting, Forbes, 9 Sep. 2021 Their responses were mainly to sigh, sputter, snark, or scream. — BostonGlobe.com, 7 Aug. 2021 The older men would wearily sigh, roll their eyes, and gesture toward the first hand… at which point Lee would open his fist and present their coins. — David Fear, Rolling Stone, 30 June 2021 Accounting, human resources, information management, and messaging and communication departments will likely sigh in relief. — Pradeep Aradhya, Forbes, 13 May 2021 As Oakland schools reopen, students rush into classrooms and parents sigh with relief. — Taylor Kate Brown, San Francisco Chronicle, 31 Mar. 2021 Recent Examples on the Web: Noun Any owners or operators at risk of shuttering due to economic factors can breathe a sigh of relief and apply for funding. — Tim Newcomb, Popular Mechanics, 11 May 2022 Brands in the luxury goods sector gave a collective sigh of relief when Bain and Company came out with its Fall 2021 Luxury Study. — Pamela N. Danziger, Forbes, 14 Nov. 2021 The most recent federal stimulus bill that passed Congress in December provided $4 billion to the Metropolitan Transportation Authority, the parent organization of Metro-North, and gave officials a major sigh of relief. — Christopher Keating, courant.com, 26 Feb. 2021 Now that the factory is up and running, the team can breathe a sigh of relief–briefly. — Jim Vinoski, Forbes, 21 Apr. 2022 After the last notes rang out from the Beachland Ballroom stage and the applause from the crowd died down, Schlenk was able to breathe a sigh of relief. — John Canale, cleveland, 5 Apr. 2022 Federal health officials have relaxed mask recommendations for Americans living in areas of low or medium risk of COVID-19, but almost one-third of the U.S. population is not supposed to breathe a sigh of relief. — John Bacon, USA TODAY, 28 Feb. 2022 As director Bo Burnham stays close on Carmichael’s face, the comedian doesn’t exactly smile, nor heave some obvious sigh of relief. — Caroline Framke, Variety, 4 Apr. 2022 Continuing after a sigh and a pause, Jackson refused to spar over racist babies and insisted on discussing legal issues. — Brandon Tensley, CNN, 23 Mar. 2022 See More

These example sentences are selected automatically from various online news sources to reflect current usage of the word 'sigh.' Views expressed in the examples do not represent the opinion of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.