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
Belly hyperventilates and runs to the bathroom to calm down with Taylor.
—
Monica Mercuri, Forbes.com, 26 Aug. 2025
Breathing difficulties: The shock of sudden cold-water exposure can cause bouts of wheezing, gasping, and rapid breathing (hyperventilating).
—Mark Gurarie, Verywell Health, 9 July 2025
One man began to hyperventilate while handcuffed on the ground after being detained.
—Alexandra Mendoza, San Diego Union-Tribune, 23 May 2025
For full effect read it aloud and hyperventilate a little.
—Krista Kafer, Denver Post, 19 May 2025
See All Example Sentences for hyperventilate
Monica Mercuri, Forbes.com, 26 Aug. 2025
Breathing difficulties: The shock of sudden cold-water exposure can cause bouts of wheezing, gasping, and rapid breathing (hyperventilating).
—Mark Gurarie, Verywell Health, 9 July 2025
One man began to hyperventilate while handcuffed on the ground after being detained.
—Alexandra Mendoza, San Diego Union-Tribune, 23 May 2025
For full effect read it aloud and hyperventilate a little.
—Krista Kafer, Denver Post, 19 May 2025
See All Example Sentences for hyperventilate
Recent Examples of Synonyms for hyperventilate
Verb
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The powerful primate makes contact with the glass wall with a heavy thud, which leaves the group near the wall gasping and yelping in fear.—
Escher Walcott,
PEOPLE,
14 Oct. 2025
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Reactions from the crowd can be heard in the background — with zoo visitors gasping.—
Ashley J. DiMella,
FOXNews.com,
14 Oct. 2025
Verb
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The dog was panting and shifting from one foot to the other.—
Literary Hub,
Literary Hub,
29 Sep. 2025
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The city, which is the capital of the Emilia-Romagna region, is rich in porticoes—elegant arcaded structures that line the streets and allow the panting pedestrian, at any point, to flee the sunlight’s blaze and seek shade.—
Anthony Lane,
New Yorker,
22 Sep. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Hyperventilate.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/hyperventilate. Accessed 23 Oct. 2025.
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