as in huffs
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 sighs
Judy Berman, Time, 5 Mar. 2026
Twice thwarted, Beth sighs, says yes, and gets on with the business of living.
—Inkoo Kang, New Yorker, 5 Feb. 2026
The room sighs in relief a second later when Buckley reanimates, jerking and flailing like a soul possessed, grinning maniacally — all on purpose, inspired by the earlier veil snafu.
—Sydney Bucksbaum, Entertainment Weekly, 3 Feb. 2026
Lady Gun’s footman Alfie sighs in relief when his taxing employer leaves for the evening.
—Roxana Hadadi, Vulture, 30 Jan. 2026
Everyone oohs and aahs over this development, but Mu Hee just looks at Hiro and sighs.
—Hannah Abraham, Forbes.com, 29 Jan. 2026
Bonds signs some autographs, then takes a seat on the bench in the Giants dugout next to his mother, puts his head in his hands, and sighs.
—Jeremy Collins, The Atlantic, 12 Dec. 2025
As the New York Rangers poured goal after goal into the Nashville Predators’ net Monday, fans and players let out not only cheers but also sighs of relief.
—Peter Baugh, New York Times, 11 Nov. 2025
Rothbauer, the bartender, sighs.
—Elisabeth Garber-Paul, Rolling Stone, 5 Nov. 2025
Verb
In the series premiere of Netflix’s Vladimir, Rachel Weisz awakens from troubled sleep to a cascade of texts, sighs deeply, and addresses the camera with pleading eyes.
—Judy Berman, Time, 5 Mar. 2026
Twice thwarted, Beth sighs, says yes, and gets on with the business of living.
—Inkoo Kang, New Yorker, 5 Feb. 2026
The room sighs in relief a second later when Buckley reanimates, jerking and flailing like a soul possessed, grinning maniacally — all on purpose, inspired by the earlier veil snafu.
—Sydney Bucksbaum, Entertainment Weekly, 3 Feb. 2026
Lady Gun’s footman Alfie sighs in relief when his taxing employer leaves for the evening.
—Roxana Hadadi, Vulture, 30 Jan. 2026
Everyone oohs and aahs over this development, but Mu Hee just looks at Hiro and sighs.
—Hannah Abraham, Forbes.com, 29 Jan. 2026
Bonds signs some autographs, then takes a seat on the bench in the Giants dugout next to his mother, puts his head in his hands, and sighs.
—Jeremy Collins, The Atlantic, 12 Dec. 2025
As the New York Rangers poured goal after goal into the Nashville Predators’ net Monday, fans and players let out not only cheers but also sighs of relief.
—Peter Baugh, New York Times, 11 Nov. 2025
Rothbauer, the bartender, sighs.
—Elisabeth Garber-Paul, Rolling Stone, 5 Nov. 2025
Recent Examples of Synonyms for sighs
Noun
-
Behind every trauma and calamity, whether personal or global, whispers of Jewish machination can be heard by those already listening for them.—
Mike Rothschild,
Big Think,
31 Mar. 2026
-
In this extraordinary moment, we're reminded that wisdom often comes in the smallest whispers, and true courage lies in following where we're led with childlike trust.—
New Atlas,
New Atlas,
29 Mar. 2026
Verb
-
Deadline journalists sat towards the back of the room said the N-word and other slurs were audible, as were gasps when Davidson made his involuntary tics.—
Max Goldbart,
Deadline,
27 Feb. 2026
-
Upon announcing her status as a Faithful, the whole room gasps.—
Tom Smyth,
Vulture,
9 Jan. 2026
Noun
-
Both threw cold water on those murmurs, reiterating love for their respective schools.—
Jacob Lev,
CNN Money,
27 Mar. 2026
-
The off-court issues continue under Oats, with plenty of murmurs about how the Alabama head coach has elected to handle some of them.—
Justin Williams,
New York Times,
25 Mar. 2026
Verb
-
In the video, Chilli sniffs large bricks to locate the scent a trainer shared with him.—
Katie Hill,
PEOPLE,
6 Jan. 2026
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Tovar is the one officer who immediately sniffs out that there’s something weird about Gacy, and Luna incrementally nudges the character further and further into obsession.—
Kathryn VanArendonk,
Vulture,
1 Dec. 2025
Verb
-
That is, on one hand, because Taylor loves and breathes fashion, and on the other because, to honor that part of herself, she’s chosen to style herself for most of this awards season.—
José Criales-Unzueta,
Vanity Fair,
16 Mar. 2026
-
Measles is caused by a highly contagious virus that’s airborne and spreads easily when an infected person breathes, sneezes or coughs.—
Laura Turbay,
Chicago Tribune,
14 Mar. 2026
Noun
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Clearing right-of-way strips can result in the loss of trees and native vegetation; crackles, hisses and humming can be heard nearby especially during periods of high humidity; and farm fields and animal habitat can be affected by construction activities.—
Madeline Heim,
jsonline.com,
12 Dec. 2025
Noun
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The moans announced the doubt throughout Riviera’s 18th green amphitheater, a bowl full of thousands of fans unsure if the new guy could do it.—
Brody Miller,
New York Times,
23 Feb. 2026
-
At the moment that B’Tselem says Hathaleen collapsed, the visuals are jostled but moans of pain can be heard.—
Sam Metz,
Los Angeles Times,
16 Feb. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Sighs.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/sighs. Accessed 2 Apr. 2026.
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