inhaling

present participle of inhale
as in devouring
to swallow or eat greedily inhaled the doughnuts so quickly that you would have missed it if you blinked

Synonyms & Similar Words

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Antonyms & Near Antonyms

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 inhaling Tottenham attempted to offload Bissouma last summer, and the club later initiated another internal investigation after an image leaked of Bissouma inhaling nitrous oxide from a balloon again. — Colin Millar, New York Times, 16 Sep. 2026 And viral trends like the cinnamon challenge can cause potential injury by accidentally inhaling the powder. — Sara Moniuszko, USA Today, 11 Sep. 2026 The process would be similar to inhaling allergy medicine via a nasal spray. — Alexei Oreskovic, Fortune, 3 Sep. 2026 And in the summer working, caring for the garden, cultivating my plants, my food, inhaling the sun, seeing my skin become brown just as the flowers are also growing their colours, and my beloved garden plants are delivering their brilliant food. — Literary Hub, 24 Aug. 2026 More studies are showing the wide-ranging negative health impacts of inhaling wildfire smoke, which is especially toxic when blazes tear through urban areas and burn up household appliances, batteries and chemicals. — ABC News, 23 Aug. 2026 Another man was taken to Insight Hospital and Medical Center in fair condition after also inhaling water, police said. — Adam Harrington, CBS News, 17 Aug. 2026 People are thought to get infected by inhaling the amoeba from windblown dust or by getting contaminated soil or water in a wound. — Beth Mole, ArsTechnica, 12 Aug. 2026 Other behaviors that put autistic children at risk of drowning include drinking water while swimming, which puts them at risk for accidentally inhaling water; and holding their breath for prolonged periods, which can lead to fainting underwater. — Tana Carson, The Conversation, 17 July 2026
Recent Examples of Synonyms for inhaling
Verb
  • Just like today’s tentacled ocean dwellers, the Mesozoic squid ancestor likely had no problem devouring its relatives—or even members of its own species.
    — Andrew Paul, Popular Science, 10 Sep. 2026
  • Davis loved to read and collect books, devouring anything from John Updike and Margaret Atwood, among other authors, a passion that necessitated having bookshelves in every room of his home.
    — Glenn Whipp, Los Angeles Times, 9 Sep. 2026
Verb
  • Others can’t stand the sound of gulping.
    — Sloane Crosley, New Yorker, 8 June 2026
  • This viral anti-slip slow feeder lick bowl helps prevent gulping and bloating, while keeping your dogs entertained for longer with a healthy, fun challenge.
    — Kasey Caminiti, USA Today, 25 May 2026
Verb
  • The same push toward cramming AI into every corner is also happening on Windows 11, where Microsoft Copilot promises to be helpful.
    — Adam Clark Estes, Vox, 18 Sep. 2026
  • The common thread among them is many, many hours spent cramming parenting and their careers into each day.
    — Tilly Berendt, New York Times, 11 Sep. 2026

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Cite this Entry

“Inhaling.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/inhaling. Accessed 25 Sep. 2026.

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