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
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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
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Ally repeatedly asked while gasping as about a dozen of her friends chuckled nearby.—
Ashlyn Robinette,
PEOPLE,
24 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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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
Cite this Entry
“Hyperventilating.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/hyperventilating. Accessed 29 Oct. 2025.
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