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
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Recent Examples of hyperventilating
Roscoe pulled over; his daughter started hyperventilating.
—
Sean Gregory, Time, 10 Dec. 2025
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
Sean Gregory, Time, 10 Dec. 2025
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
Recent Examples of Synonyms for hyperventilating
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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User @briadeshaun took a more relatable route and impersonated an out-of-shape owl, worn out from flying and repeatedly panting to catch its breath.—
Saleen Martin,
USA Today,
27 Jan. 2026
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Her dog panting, unquestioning, always thrilled to see her.—
Allegra Goodman,
New Yorker,
4 Jan. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Hyperventilating.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/hyperventilating. Accessed 30 Jan. 2026.
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