1
as in to expel
to let or force out of the lungs
before answering, the suspect exhaled a cloud of cigarette smoke
Synonyms & Similar Words
Relevance
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
2
as in to radiate
to throw or give off
the lilacs were exhaling a sweet fragrance that virtually filled the room
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
Example Sentences
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to
show current usage.
Read More
Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors.
Send us feedback.
Recent Examples of exhale
Following a whirlwind that had to feel like a blur at times, Coby White can exhale somewhat.
—
Roderick Boone, Charlotte Observer, 30 Apr. 2026
Rose made bogey on the 72nd hole that year, then exhaled when Watson missed an 8-foot birdie putt that would have forced a playoff.
—CBS News, 29 Apr. 2026
This week would theoretically offer a chance to exhale, but the work doesn’t slow down for them yet.
—Zach Berman, New York Times, 27 Apr. 2026
The engineers probably exhaled.
—Kurt Knutsson, FOXNews.com, 23 Apr. 2026
See All Example Sentences for exhale
Roderick Boone, Charlotte Observer, 30 Apr. 2026
Rose made bogey on the 72nd hole that year, then exhaled when Watson missed an 8-foot birdie putt that would have forced a playoff.
—CBS News, 29 Apr. 2026
This week would theoretically offer a chance to exhale, but the work doesn’t slow down for them yet.
—Zach Berman, New York Times, 27 Apr. 2026
The engineers probably exhaled.
—Kurt Knutsson, FOXNews.com, 23 Apr. 2026
See All Example Sentences for exhale
Recent Examples of Synonyms for exhale
Verb
-
When needed, the liquid is expelled through a pair of small structures near the head (oral papillae) in two rapid jets.—
Scott Travers,
Forbes.com,
9 May 2026
-
What drives an eruption to switch from expelling oozing lava to blasting ash and rock into the sky?—
Quanta Magazine,
Quanta Magazine,
8 May 2026
Verb
-
The flower, which radiates positivity and joy, encourages Leo to showcase their vivacious personality.—
Lisa Stardust,
PEOPLE,
9 May 2026
-
Naturally then, many guests greet the staff like old friends, and this familial atmosphere radiates out through the casual grace of the hotel staff.—
Condé Nast,
Condé Nast Traveler,
6 May 2026
Verb
-
Unlike most exoplanet studies, which focus on atmospheres, astronomers analyzed heat emitted from this planet's surface.—
Sharmila Kuthunur,
Space.com,
4 May 2026
-
The challenges are not unique to wealthier versus low-emitting countries.—
Paige Stein,
Hartford Courant,
4 May 2026
Verb
-
Might that disenfranchise voters who already cast their ballots?—
Dana Taylor,
USA Today,
8 May 2026
-
California voters overwhelmingly approved the plan, with 64% of more than 11 million votes cast in favor of it.—
Kevin Rector,
Los Angeles Times,
8 May 2026
Verb
-
The city also hasn’t released a calculation of how many new units would be required if SB 79 ends up affecting 52 bus stops instead of four.—
David Garrick,
San Diego Union-Tribune,
9 May 2026
-
No motive has been released, as of Friday afternoon.—
Alexandra Koch,
FOXNews.com,
9 May 2026
Verb
-
In the morning, I would be woken by music emanating from the frat house down the block.—
Saïd Sayrafiezadeh,
New Yorker,
26 Apr. 2026
-
The vehicle was apparently abandoned in the Hollywood Hills and towed to a police impound lot, where an employee noticed a foul smell emanating from the trunk last September and alerted authorities.—
Andi Babineau,
CNN Money,
23 Apr. 2026
Verb
-
The See’s shop has moved around as the center developed and evolved over the decades; to date, there have been four locations.—
Linda Zavoral,
Mercury News,
7 May 2026
-
The main house has to evolve with the people living in it.—
Amy Kunst,
Sacbee.com,
7 May 2026
Cite this Entry
“Exhale.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/exhale. Accessed 11 May. 2026.
Copy CitationLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
