hyperventilating

present participle of hyperventilate
as in gasping
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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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 hyperventilating As her tribe hugged her in victory, Erickson was crying and hyperventilating while former tribemate Joe Hunter was shown looking on in concern. Steve Helling, PEOPLE, 24 Sep. 2025 The hyperactive plotting runs on hyperventilating prose. Book Marks september 11, Literary Hub, 11 Sep. 2025
Recent Examples of Synonyms for hyperventilating
Verb
  • If nothing else, his wealth of experience, ability to recognize coverages and check the Browns into advantageous situations should be the bare minimum for an offense gasping for life.
    Jason Lloyd, New York Times, 28 Sep. 2025
  • Whoopi Goldberg informed the studio audience of his death live on the air, with some gasping.
    Joey Nolfi, Entertainment Weekly, 16 Sep. 2025
Verb
  • The dog was panting and shifting from one foot to the other.
    Literary Hub, Literary Hub, 29 Sep. 2025
  • Howard’s best comedies have a light, almost effortless touch, but this one is panting and gasping essentially from the opening frames.
    Will Leitch, Vulture, 22 Aug. 2025

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Cite this Entry

“Hyperventilating.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/hyperventilating. Accessed 8 Oct. 2025.

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