as in gasping
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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Recent Examples of sighing
And while many might be reluctant to close the time capsule door on their beloved skinnies, some of us are sighing with relief that the current denim trend is comfy enough for travel.
—
Olivia Young, Travel + Leisure, 11 Feb. 2026
But the film belongs to Farmer, Jacobs’ own grandmother, who gives Hettie an unfussy sturdiness of mien and spirit to counter the growing, sighing frailty of her person, and a steady, narrow stare that occasionally seems to see through time.
—Guy Lodge, Variety, 7 Feb. 2026
Suddenly, Jeff Parker plucks a sighing six-note guitar run, dropping his shoulders into a solo section that carries the tune to its swooning conclusion.
—Dash Lewis, Pitchfork, 20 Dec. 2025
Being in the theater with everyone sighing and laughing all together was a fantastic feeling.
—Sabrina Impacciatore, Vulture, 1 Dec. 2025
The song’s gentle reggaetón shuffle is augmented by some lovely harp plucking, and backing vocals that seem to be sighing in agreement.
—Andrew Unterberger, Billboard, 21 Nov. 2025
Cali gave her friend a look before sighing and pulling off I-10.
—Bryan Washington, New Yorker, 7 Sep. 2025
Olivia Young, Travel + Leisure, 11 Feb. 2026
But the film belongs to Farmer, Jacobs’ own grandmother, who gives Hettie an unfussy sturdiness of mien and spirit to counter the growing, sighing frailty of her person, and a steady, narrow stare that occasionally seems to see through time.
—Guy Lodge, Variety, 7 Feb. 2026
Suddenly, Jeff Parker plucks a sighing six-note guitar run, dropping his shoulders into a solo section that carries the tune to its swooning conclusion.
—Dash Lewis, Pitchfork, 20 Dec. 2025
Being in the theater with everyone sighing and laughing all together was a fantastic feeling.
—Sabrina Impacciatore, Vulture, 1 Dec. 2025
The song’s gentle reggaetón shuffle is augmented by some lovely harp plucking, and backing vocals that seem to be sighing in agreement.
—Andrew Unterberger, Billboard, 21 Nov. 2025
Cali gave her friend a look before sighing and pulling off I-10.
—Bryan Washington, New Yorker, 7 Sep. 2025
Recent Examples of Synonyms for sighing
Verb
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By that point, Illinois was already rolling, well on their way to a 101-65 victory that left USC gasping for air.—
Ryan Kartje,
Los Angeles Times,
19 Feb. 2026
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Then came another jab, and the hairpiece bounced up as if Miller’s scalp was the bottom of a gasping clam.—
Matt Moret,
New York Times,
1 Feb. 2026
Verb
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As muscles become weaker as more nerve cells die, the person with ALS will start to struggle with chewing, swallowing, speaking, and even breathing.—
Jason Pham,
StyleCaster,
20 Feb. 2026
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Hours later, the neighbor knocked on door and told her that her son wasn’t breathing.—
Kansas City Star,
Kansas City Star,
19 Feb. 2026
Verb
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And given that two cops are already sniffing around the Redfellows’ sudden propensity for premature expiration, Becket finds himself in quite a predicament.—
David Fear,
Rolling Stone,
19 Feb. 2026
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The same disaster that flirted with Canada early in the day was sniffing around Team USA on Wednesday.—
Steve Conroy,
Boston Herald,
18 Feb. 2026
Verb
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Now, the charges aren’t filed, but the president has been huffing and puffing and the Department of Justice has been subpoenaing Powell as if these actions were ready.—
David Frum,
The Atlantic,
18 Feb. 2026
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While a bunch of gatekeeping owners were huffing about clarity, the invisible architect kept building without drawing attention.—
Jerry Brewer,
New York Times,
4 Feb. 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
“Sighing.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/sighing. Accessed 28 Feb. 2026.
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