1
as in pauses
a momentary halt in an activity
let's all take a breath before continuing this discussion
Synonyms & Similar Words
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Antonyms & Near Antonyms
2
as in breezes
a slight or gentle movement of air
a sweet breath caressed her cheek as she sat in the garden
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
3
as in hints
an almost imperceptible sign of something
the mornings are already getting warmer, and there is a breath of spring in the air
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
Example Sentences
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Recent Examples of breaths
Borne started chest compression; Gross administered breaths.
—
Colleen Cronin, Boston Herald, 6 Apr. 2026
The show’s set, designed by Hildegard Bechtler, centers around a panel which features — in bright, yellow lettering — the day and time, taking the audience from Sunday morning to Wednesday evening, when Romeo and Juliet take their final breaths.
—Ellise Shafer, Variety, 1 Apr. 2026
Texas fans may have held their collective breaths when senior guard Rori Harmon appeared to hurt her right hand midway through the first quarter.
—Danny Davis, Austin American Statesman, 28 Mar. 2026
The American Red Cross recommends a rate of 100 to 120 chest compressions per minute, given 30 at a time with two breaths in between.
—Julia James, Dallas Morning News, 27 Mar. 2026
Taking a few slow, deep diaphragmatic breaths may also help, Lopez adds.
—Jenny McCoy, SELF, 26 Mar. 2026
There were some heavy, deep breaths.
—Corey Masisak, Denver Post, 25 Mar. 2026
The company says its 5 kPa output is enough to get an air mattress to properly firm up without the need for manual breaths – even with a person lying on it.
—New Atlas, 13 Mar. 2026
But Vanek also has people round their back into turtle pose, using humming breaths to connect with vibration-sensing creatures, and using the outstretched arms of some poses to greet new snake visitors.
—Deena Prichep, NPR, 11 Mar. 2026
Colleen Cronin, Boston Herald, 6 Apr. 2026
The show’s set, designed by Hildegard Bechtler, centers around a panel which features — in bright, yellow lettering — the day and time, taking the audience from Sunday morning to Wednesday evening, when Romeo and Juliet take their final breaths.
—Ellise Shafer, Variety, 1 Apr. 2026
Texas fans may have held their collective breaths when senior guard Rori Harmon appeared to hurt her right hand midway through the first quarter.
—Danny Davis, Austin American Statesman, 28 Mar. 2026
The American Red Cross recommends a rate of 100 to 120 chest compressions per minute, given 30 at a time with two breaths in between.
—Julia James, Dallas Morning News, 27 Mar. 2026
Taking a few slow, deep diaphragmatic breaths may also help, Lopez adds.
—Jenny McCoy, SELF, 26 Mar. 2026
There were some heavy, deep breaths.
—Corey Masisak, Denver Post, 25 Mar. 2026
The company says its 5 kPa output is enough to get an air mattress to properly firm up without the need for manual breaths – even with a person lying on it.
—New Atlas, 13 Mar. 2026
But Vanek also has people round their back into turtle pose, using humming breaths to connect with vibration-sensing creatures, and using the outstretched arms of some poses to greet new snake visitors.
—Deena Prichep, NPR, 11 Mar. 2026
Recent Examples of Synonyms for breaths
Noun
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Last year, the agency issued more than 500 payment pauses, which is a 240% increase over 2024, according to agency data.—
Caroline Cummings,
CBS News,
13 Apr. 2026
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Drummers’ timekeeping is fluid; even at its most rocksteady, it’s enlivened by tiny, imperceptible pauses and hiccups.—
Philip Sherburne,
Pitchfork,
13 Apr. 2026
Noun
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Willy’s older brother, Ben (Jonathan Cake, plummy-voiced and elegant, a cedar to Lane’s stunted apple tree), breezes in and out, always on the way to or from some impressive capital venture.—
Sara Holdren,
Vulture,
10 Apr. 2026
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Partial clearing is expected midday before more showers in the late afternoon and evening that’ll be accompanied by increasing breezes.—
Anthony Edwards,
San Francisco Chronicle,
10 Apr. 2026
Noun
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Ives inserts hints of Ludwig van Beethoven’s 5th Symphony in the meditative work, and at other times seems to conjure up church bells through the piano.—
Sheila Regan,
Twin Cities,
14 Apr. 2026
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More subtle hints are peppered throughout the story.—
Matt Cabral,
Entertainment Weekly,
13 Apr. 2026
Noun
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Referring to the decline in permits approved, ECMC Director Julie Murphy said there were lulls as everyone adjusted course.—
Judith Kohler,
Denver Post,
18 Mar. 2026
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Acting in a movie involves a lot of waiting around, too—as the crew repositions cameras and adjusts the lighting, among other things—and those lulls provided me with plenty of time to feel queasy with anxiety.—
Naomi Fry,
New Yorker,
14 Mar. 2026
Noun
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These puffs are flavored with Gruyere, dry mustard, and cayenne.—
Josh Miller,
Southern Living,
10 Apr. 2026
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That’s where portable dry shampoo formulas—especially puffs—really shine, by streamlining the entire experience.—
Conçetta Ciarlo,
Vogue,
8 Apr. 2026
Noun
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Opt for bigger hanging bulbs, discrete flickers, or even hanging sheaths.—
Patricia Shannon,
Southern Living,
3 Apr. 2026
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But most of all, Australia showed flickers of the joy that fueled Hamilton for so much of his F1 success in the past.—
Luke Smith,
New York Times,
10 Mar. 2026
Noun
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The property was once a 19th-century Catholic school and church campus, complete with a rectory and nunnery, and each room has a rotary phone and other touches of the not-so-distant past.—
Kate Kassin,
Bon Appetit Magazine,
13 Apr. 2026
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Each private suite, which can fit for one or two passengers, has a smooth, curved exterior with touches of silver, much like a supercar.—
Nicole Hoey,
Robb Report,
13 Apr. 2026
Noun
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There are no easy answers in education, but there are glimmers of hope.—
Abby McCloskey,
Twin Cities,
12 Apr. 2026
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While the storm is looming, there are new glimmers of possibility—friends can become lovers, strangers can become friends on the subway, the supermarket aisles are charged with meaning.—
Andrew Marantz,
New Yorker,
5 Apr. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Breaths.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/breaths. Accessed 19 Apr. 2026.
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