as in gasping
to breathe hard, quickly, or with difficulty
he was so nervous he began hyperventilating, and the extra oxygen made him dizzy
Synonyms & Similar Words
Relevance
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
Specifically, a 1940s B-picture conjuring up some heavy Maria Montez mojo, known as Kiss of the Spider Woman — a typically hyperventilating melodrama that featured a vamping diva playing several parts, including the venomous title character.
—
David Fear, Rolling Stone, 11 Oct. 2025
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
David Fear, Rolling Stone, 11 Oct. 2025
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
-
When the audio came back on during the broadcast, the audience could be heard gasping — while cohost Alyssa Farah Griffin raised her hands to her face in shock, and Sunny Hostin pursed her lips.—
Joey Nolfi,
Entertainment Weekly,
30 Oct. 2025
-
Ally repeatedly asked while gasping as about a dozen of her friends chuckled nearby.—
Ashlyn Robinette,
PEOPLE,
24 Oct. 2025
Verb
-
Your dog starts panting and won’t settle down.—
Maria Williams,
USA Today,
6 Nov. 2025
-
Her husband was a bear — wild, panting, with sweat pasting his T-shirt to his chest.—
Lizz Schumer,
PEOPLE,
29 Oct. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Hyperventilating.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/hyperventilating. Accessed 13 Nov. 2025.
Copy CitationLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
Share