Definition of wheezenext
as in to gasp
to breathe hard, quickly, or with difficulty he was wheezing rapidly after a hard run

Synonyms & Similar Words

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wheeze

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 wheeze
Verb
The previous owners must have doused the property with chemicals, and as summer wheezed toward its smoky end, my lawn became less suburban ideal and more of a pop quiz in weed identification. Maggie Slepian, Longreads, 14 May 2026 Since October, her youngest, now 7, has been coughing and wheezing a lot, especially at night. Lisa Song, ProPublica, 7 May 2026
Noun
Meanwhile, their power play continued to sputter and wheeze, going 0 for 4 as part of a 2-for-34 funk. Andrew Knoll, Oc Register, 12 Apr. 2025 Everyone understands that smoke causes respiratory problems; all of us cough and wheeze when the air becomes hazardous for weeks at a time. Debra Hendrickson, WIRED, 4 Jan. 2025 See All Example Sentences for wheeze
Recent Examples of Synonyms for wheeze
Verb
  • The power outages caused by storms that roared through the region nearly two weeks ago have one resident of this Rust Belt city literally gasping for air.
    Selina Guevara, NBC news, 24 Aug. 2026
  • Loud, frequent snoring paired with gasping, choking or pauses in breathing may point to obstructive sleep apnea.
    Ryan Brennan, Charlotte Observer, 20 Aug. 2026
Noun
  • During Atletico’s season-opening draw to Villarreal on Sunday, he was booed and walked straight down the tunnel at the full-time whistle after a second-half cameo.
    Pol Ballús, New York Times, 26 Aug. 2026
  • When the final whistle ended, Messi and the rest of the men in pink trudged off the field and the silent, disappointed crowd headed to the parking lots and train station.
    Michelle Kaufman, Miami Herald, 23 Aug. 2026
Noun
  • The team used a mixture of zinc chloride and lithium bromide salts to dissolve the cellulose.
    Neetika Walter, Interesting Engineering, 18 Aug. 2026
  • The fire contained compounds from more than two dozen chemical families, including dangerous amounts of bromide, a naturally occurring element that can irritate the skin and mucus membranes.
    AJ Willingham, AJC.com, 29 June 2026
Verb
  • The Row Frima pants $3,150 Track Star The track jacket is my fall answer to fashion’s (and my personal) ongoing love affair with sport—styled with a touch of Saint Laurent and Celine polish for everyday or taken full pro athlete à la Balenciaga.
    Minty Mellon, Vogue, 24 Aug. 2026
  • The delivery person added that none of the canines appeared to have access to food or sufficient water, and that all the animals were panting.
    Moná Thomas, PEOPLE, 3 Aug. 2026
Noun
  • Some riders gallivant and whoosh past bystanders, weaving in and out and putting surrounding passersby on edge.
    Doug Turnbull, AJC.com, 5 July 2026
  • Open spaces whoosh with fresh air.
    Mike Albo, Travel + Leisure, 8 June 2026
Noun
  • Wolff was only the eighth woman to drive a Formula 1 car (four more have done it since); the role, a now-commonplace one that includes driving the simulator during Grand Prix weekends to inform trackside strategy, was created for her.
    Danielle McNally, InStyle, 28 May 2026
  • The videos are often integrated into larger montages of drone strikes, underscoring how commonplace these drones have become for Russian forces.
    Vikram Mittal, Forbes.com, 23 May 2026
Noun
  • The bag is big enough to hold all your travel essentials—even a small umbrella or tablet—and features two slip pockets and one zip pocket inside.
    Jasmine Gomez, Travel + Leisure, 30 Aug. 2026
  • The zip-up front and attached hood give the traditional knit a more casual feel, while the stitch detailing keeps it from looking like your average sweatshirt.
    Grace Scollo, InStyle, 29 Aug. 2026
Noun
  • In between some of the manager’s more clip-worthy quotes, there were more of his usual — and not incorrect — platitudes.
    Cody Stavenhagen, New York Times, 25 Aug. 2026
  • And no, this isn’t the typical platitude a coach might share retroactively, after a former player becomes an all-time great.
    Kansas City Star, Kansas City Star, 22 Aug. 2026

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Cite this Entry

“Wheeze.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/wheeze. Accessed 31 Aug. 2026.

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