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
The hyperactive plotting runs on hyperventilating prose.
—
Book Marks
september 11, Literary Hub, 11 Sep. 2025
Some may also hyperventilate, which can lead to fainting as well.
—Dr. Sanjay Gupta, CNN Money, 26 Aug. 2025
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
See All Example Sentences for hyperventilate
Book Marks
september 11, Literary Hub, 11 Sep. 2025
Some may also hyperventilate, which can lead to fainting as well.
—Dr. Sanjay Gupta, CNN Money, 26 Aug. 2025
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
See All Example Sentences for hyperventilate
Recent Examples of Synonyms for hyperventilate
Verb
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That one is a flimsy piano ballad where the duo’s approach to vocals—strangled, swirled and gasping—comes off more annoying than innovative, like a joke that isn’t funny anymore.—
Andrew Ryce,
Pitchfork,
12 Jan. 2026
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Those in the audience were heard clapping, cheering and even gasping during the performance.—
Dillon Thomas,
CBS News,
9 Jan. 2026
Verb
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Her dog panting, unquestioning, always thrilled to see her.—
Allegra Goodman,
New Yorker,
4 Jan. 2026
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Gus was awake and panting at his feet.—
CBS News,
CBS News,
5 Dec. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Hyperventilate.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/hyperventilate. Accessed 17 Jan. 2026.
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