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
Groups 2 and 3 sigh with relief, knowing there exists a phrase that will help them to explain to acquaintances why their older family member ended up in a care facility. — Alicja Turczyk, The Dial, 29 Sep. 2026 Céline hit it before letting out a sigh of relief, almost suspended in that moment. — Blanche Marcel, Vanity Fair, 20 Sep. 2026 See All Example Sentences for sigh
Recent Examples of Synonyms for sigh
Verb
  • According to the arrest warrant, state police believe Ringquist first became separated from the truck on Polly Dan Road, where she was knocked to the ground and left gasping for air and sobbing.
    — Justin Muszynski, Hartford Courant, 3 Nov. 2026
  • They were gassed, players gasping with the exertion of trying to run the Knicks out of their gym.
    — Julia Poe, Chicago Tribune, 29 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
  • The same can’t be said of a busy indoor environment, where some of the loud background comes through as a murmur and the mics struggle to capture my voice intelligibly.
    — Mark Knapp, PC Magazine, 5 Nov. 2026
  • 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
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 11 Nov. 2026.

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