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
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Recent Examples of sighing
But the people in these plays aren’t sighing and slumping.
—
Sara Holdren, Vulture, 23 Mar. 2026
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
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
Sara Holdren, Vulture, 23 Mar. 2026
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
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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Within a few weeks of starting the treatments, O’Neal was walking without gasping and talking without pausing to gobble air.—
Courtney Crowder,
USA Today,
18 Apr. 2026
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Before Heuermann changed his plea, Suffolk County District Attorney Ray Tierney asked him to confirm details surrounding each murder as members of the victims' families were heard gasping and audibly crying in the courtroom gallery.—
Julia Bonavita,
FOXNews.com,
8 Apr. 2026
Verb
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There's art in seemingly every nook and cranny, and much of it is immersive, creating a feeling that this is a living, breathing property with secrets to tell.—
Condé Nast,
Condé Nast Traveler,
23 Apr. 2026
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The new report says more than 1 million children in Pennsylvania are breathing unhealthy air.—
Stephanie Stahl,
CBS News,
23 Apr. 2026
Verb
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Airport-style baggage and body scanners have been installed at facility entrances and the county has increased the frequency of searches and the use of drug-sniffing canines.—
Jason Henry,
Daily News,
24 Apr. 2026
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The Warriors, according to Yahoo’s Kevin O’Connor, have begun sniffing around current Florida coach Todd Golden as a potential replacement if the 60-year-old Kerr does not return.—
Michael Nowels,
Mercury News,
24 Apr. 2026
Verb
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Washington’s Copium But the White House is huffing its own brand of copium.—
Newsweek Editors,
MSNBC Newsweek,
30 Mar. 2026
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Audio from the Tread is more than loud enough even when huffing, puffing, and sprinting through a challenging interval.—
Craig Rawlins-Wilson,
PC Magazine,
25 Mar. 2026
Verb
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Potential symptoms include rapid breathing, vomiting, panting and a high heart rate.—
Corey Schmidt,
Sacbee.com,
16 Apr. 2026
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Eyes wide, panting near panic, Foster perfectly captures the audience's own fear of being alone in the dark with a monster.—
Darren Franich,
Entertainment Weekly,
15 Mar. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Sighing.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/sighing. Accessed 30 Apr. 2026.
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