sigh

verb

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\ ˈsī

sighed; sighing; sighs

Definition of sigh

(Entry 1 of 2)

intransitive verb

1 : to take a deep audible breath (as in weariness or relief)

2 : to make a sound like sighing wind sighing in the branches

3 : grieve, yearn sighing for days gone by

transitive verb

1 : to express by sighs

2 archaic : to utter sighs over : mourn

sigh

noun

Definition of sigh (Entry 2 of 2)

1 : an often involuntary act of sighing especially when expressing an emotion or feeling (such as weariness or relief)

2 : the sound of gently moving or escaping air sighs of the summer breeze

Other Words from sigh Synonyms More Example Sentences Phrases Containing sigh Learn More About sigh

Examples of sigh in a Sentence

Verb He sighed with relief when he saw that he passed the test. The wind sighed through the trees. “I may never see my old home again,” she sighed.

Recent Examples on the Web: Verb The researchers sigh in relief as the dogs jump back into high gear, abandoning the settlement area and heading southeast along rough, uninhabited terrain. — New York Times, 20 June 2022 But a string of hot putting and iron play got him back on the right side of the cut line and made CBS executives sigh with relief. — Globe Staff, BostonGlobe.com, 20 May 2022 How many of us have learned to sigh, swallow our pain, roll our eyes, and soldier on through the murky waters of a toxically fatphobic culture? — Emma Specter, Vogue, 2 Feb. 2022 In uncertain times, businesses all over the world sigh in exasperation. — Adrian Falk, Forbes, 14 Oct. 2021 There’s an eeriness to the typically euphoric vocals, which sigh and hover over brooding, crashing production like stormy clouds above turbulent seas. — Billboard Staff, Billboard, 8 Oct. 2021 Now, furrow your forehead and sigh in disappointment at the recognition that this culture of ours still fails to either value the work of women or recognize our capacities beyond the possession of a womb and a faculty for baking. — Liz Elting, Forbes, 9 Sep. 2021 Their responses were mainly to sigh, sputter, snark, or scream. — BostonGlobe.com, 7 Aug. 2021 The older men would wearily sigh, roll their eyes, and gesture toward the first hand… at which point Lee would open his fist and present their coins. — David Fear, Rolling Stone, 30 June 2021 Recent Examples on the Web: Noun UConn fans can get this one out of the way and breathe a sigh of relief: All is good with Bueckers, who missed 19 games with a knee injury. — Lila Bromberg, Hartford Courant, 22 June 2022 Finally, vaccines for the littlest ones: Working parents everywhere can breathe a sigh of relief now that the CDC has signed off on vaccines for the youngest children. — Jena Mcgregor, Forbes, 21 June 2022 For the past few years, owners of older iPhone models have been able to breathe a sigh of relief as Apple has continued to support their devices with new versions of iOS. — Jacob Siegal, BGR, 6 June 2022 After hanging up the phone with the Falcons’ brass, the third-winningest quarterback in FBS history turned to his mother and let out a nearly deafening sigh of relief. — Keith Jenkins, The Enquirer, 30 Apr. 2022 Pavila crossed the finish line panting and let out a big sigh. — Greg Kim, Anchorage Daily News, 31 Jan. 2022 After the final buzzer, the fans who made their way to Jersey City rose to their feet (and let out a sigh of relief). — Joe Delessio, Curbed, 23 Dec. 2021 Traders in Moscow breathed a huge sigh of relief as Russia's main stock exchange went live again on Thursday after nearly a month in shutdown mode. — Bernhard Warner, Fortune, 24 Mar. 2022 Serene gets up with a sigh and lets Clayton bring her to the Reject SUV. — Kristen Baldwin, EW.com, 1 Mar. 2022 See More

These example sentences are selected automatically from various online news sources to reflect current usage of the word 'sigh.' Views expressed in the examples do not represent the opinion of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.