Definition of sighnext
as in to gasp
to take in and let out a deep audible breath or to make a similar sound Mom always used to sigh loudly whenever she found a mess on the floor—which was often a breeze sighed through the leaves

Synonyms & Similar Words

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sigh

2 of 2

noun

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 sigh
Verb
Layered background sighs, a resonant lead vocal, autumnal acoustic guitar flickers, synths both eerie and trippy—James has all his tricks on tap. — Ryan Leas, Pitchfork, 28 Aug. 2026 Otherwise, Bridge — and any forthcoming program of the sort — risks becoming less a pathway to better care than another obstacle along the way, and another reason for physicians and patients alike to sigh. — Jeffrey Millstein, STAT, 11 Aug. 2026
Noun
Céline hit it before letting out a sigh of relief, almost suspended in that moment. — Blanche Marcel, Vanity Fair, 20 Sep. 2026 That blast wasn’t as important in this win, but as October approaches, sigh-of-relief homers don’t get much bigger. — Levi Weaver, New York Times, 15 Sep. 2026 See All Example Sentences for sigh
Recent Examples of Synonyms for sigh
Verb
  • Advertisement Tell your doctor about the pauses, gasping, and any daytime sleepiness.
    — Angela Haupt, Time, 16 Oct. 2026
  • Abrams does yeoman’s work with a character stuck in a tight spot for most of the running time, constantly grunting and gasping with a mixture of anguish and exhaustion as his body gets progressively more beat up and broken.
    — David Rooney, HollywoodReporter, 14 Oct. 2026
Noun
  • There are whispers of a speakeasy opening downstairs in the coming months, which gives the restaurant extra potential to become a go-to dinner spot that seamlessly transitions into a night out.
    — Ali Domrongchai, Condé Nast Traveler, 2 Nov. 2026
  • There’s an initial burst of salt and crunch, then a rolling thunder of jerk spice, spiked with the vibrant, herbal freshness of Caribbean green seasoning and a whisper of cinnamon and nutmeg.
    — Jenn Harris, Los Angeles Times, 29 Oct. 2026
Verb
  • Sandra Hüller storms in briefly, huffing and puffing, as Digger’s sister, Emma.
    — Manohla Dargis, New York Times, 1 Oct. 2026
  • The Scat Pack tested gets the High-Output model, which ups boost and huffs 30 psi through 54-mm Garrett GT2054 turbochargers, taking power output to 550 hp and 531 lb-ft of torque.
    — Joel Feder, The Drive, 24 Sep. 2026
Noun
  • Following murmurs of a cameo, director James Watkins confirmed that Aaron Paul makes a brief appearance in the DCU movie as Matt’s (Harries) father, who raised him in the slums of Gotham City.
    — Glenn Garner, Deadline, 23 Oct. 2026
  • After the first 10 handshakes, the chatter softens to a murmur.
    — Daniel Sperry, Kansas City Star, 11 Oct. 2026
Verb
  • About a minute later, Guardado began breathing heavily, followed by some sputtering and twitching.
    — KIM CHANDLER, Arkansas Online, 6 Nov. 2026
  • About a minute into the injection, Guardado began breathing heavily, followed by some sputtering and twitching that lasted about another minute.
    — David Fischer, The Orlando Sentinel, 5 Nov. 2026
Noun
  • There are mud pools from Yellowstone National Park that have a squeamish gurgle, and hearing them amid a crackling bonfire feels unexpectedly harmonious, even plausible.
    — Joshua Minsoo Kim, Pitchfork, 28 Apr. 2026
  • Her stomach made an audible gurgle.
    — Douglas Stuart, New Yorker, 12 Apr. 2026
Verb
  • Ketamine comes in both liquid and powder form, and Jane Doe alleges she was forced to snort a white, powdery substance that she was told was ketamine.
    — Violet Jira, Washington Post, 1 Oct. 2026
  • Brylan May, who met McCollough through her legal internship at the Writers Guild of America West in 2024, recalls once seeing McCollough snort a line of cocaine at a party and immediately throw up.
    — Cheyenne Roundtree, Rolling Stone, 20 Aug. 2026
Noun
  • And three, sometimes four, of those many waking hours are spent in the car — bouncing from home to school to her second or third job and home again — with music at full blast to drown out the babble of anxiety, most of it financial.
    — Max Klaver, Miami Herald, 3 Oct. 2026
  • Companies modelled after Mary Kay that have reprised empowerment babble for their founders’ gain are mentioned but receive scarce judgment.
    — Lauren Michele Jackson, New Yorker, 15 July 2026

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Cite this Entry

“Sigh.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/sigh. Accessed 8 Nov. 2026.

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