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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Example Sentences
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Recent Examples of sighing
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
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, 3 Sep. 2025
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
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, 3 Sep. 2025
Recent Examples of Synonyms for sighing
Verb
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That one is a flimsy piano ballad where the duo’s approach to vocals—strangled, swirled and gasping—comes off more annoying than innovative, like a joke that isn’t funny anymore.—
Andrew Ryce,
Pitchfork,
12 Jan. 2026
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Those in the audience were heard clapping, cheering and even gasping during the performance.—
Dillon Thomas,
CBS News,
9 Jan. 2026
Verb
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So much of the dialogue from Jacob Elordi’s character is breathing.—
Beatrice Verhoeven,
HollywoodReporter,
6 Jan. 2026
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The Market as a Workplace Ben Hur imagines a stock market that feels less distant and more like a breathing professional arena for those who meet high standards of discipline and risk management.—
Matthew Kayser,
USA Today,
5 Jan. 2026
Verb
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His wife’s charter school income of between $1 million to $5 million wasn’t fully reported on 2023 congressional financial disclosures until Florida Bulldog reporters started sniffing around.—
Pat Beall,
Sun Sentinel,
2 Jan. 2026
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This was an unashamed 5-4-1 in three clear banks for long periods of the match, gritty, sniffing out second balls and home errors, clearances, blocks, recoveries, choosing when to press and when to sit.—
Beren Cross,
New York Times,
2 Jan. 2026
Verb
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Or have all of his brain cells corroded away after years of huffing his own scent?—
Tom Smyth,
Vulture,
9 Jan. 2026
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Through Blazy’s gaze, what looks outlandish is often revealed to be truer to itself than, for instance, the nearby tourist restaurants with candles burning down over beef bourguignon and accordions huffing in the corner.—
Nathan Heller,
Vogue,
14 Oct. 2025
Verb
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Her dog panting, unquestioning, always thrilled to see her.—
Allegra Goodman,
New Yorker,
4 Jan. 2026
-
Gus was awake and panting at his feet.—
CBS News,
CBS News,
5 Dec. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Sighing.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/sighing. Accessed 18 Jan. 2026.
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