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 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 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 The last of which, which Ingram haphazardly threw to Gordon Hayward under New Orleans' own basket, caused Pelicans color commentator Antonio Daniels to sigh in exasperation on the broadcast. — Christian Clark | Staff Writer, NOLA.com, 9 Jan. 2021 Recent Examples on the Web: Noun Tony Montalto, father of slain victim Gina Montalto, let out a sigh as her name was called. — Brooke Baitinger, sun-sentinel.com, 20 Oct. 2021 But simply earning that first road victory did allow the team to breathe a sigh of relief after losing their first six away from Moda. — oregonlive, 14 Nov. 2021 Meatball fans can breathe a sigh of relief, as IKEA also confirmed that the store will contain a cafe alongside the various room-sets from which to browse products. — Kate Hardcastle, Forbes, 27 Oct. 2021 The first season of Modern Love featured an all-star cast, recruiting stars like Anne Hathaway, Andy Garcia, and Dev Patel to bring these sigh-inducing stories to life. — refinery29.com, 18 Aug. 2021 And yet that’s what many in the Beltway media have done, arguing that this is just another sigh-inducing instance of partisanship in Washington. — Kate Aronoff, The New Republic, 4 Aug. 2021 Braves closer Will Smith picked up the win with a 1-2-3 ninth, breathing a big sigh of relief when Trea Turner’s drive was caught at the base of the wall in left. — Paul Newberry, ajc, 18 Oct. 2021 Braves closer Will Smith picked up the win with a 1-2-3 top of the ninth, breathing a big sigh of relief when Trea Turner’s drive was caught at the base of the wall in left. — BostonGlobe.com, 18 Oct. 2021 All of the team’s officials were breathing a sigh of relief by Sunday evening as the defense finally turned the corner. — Mike Preston, baltimoresun.com, 18 Oct. 2021

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.