hyperventilates

verb

present tense third-person singular of hyperventilate
as in gasps
to breathe hard, quickly, or with difficulty he was so nervous he began hyperventilating, and the extra oxygen made him dizzy

Synonyms & Similar Words

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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 hyperventilates Often, a swimmer takes a deep breath and hyperventilates before going under the water, causing a decrease of carbon dioxide in their body. — Chip Alexander, Charlotte Observer, 12 Aug. 2026 Belly hyperventilates and runs to the bathroom to calm down with Taylor. — Monica Mercuri, Forbes.com, 26 Aug. 2025
Recent Examples of Synonyms for hyperventilates
  1. gasps
  2. pants
Verb
  • As the curtains pull back, she is revealed standing over the corpse with a bloodied trophy in her hands as the audience gasps.
    — Jesse Whittock, Deadline, 23 Sep. 2026
  • At this, the paddock gasps in unison.
    — Lily Ford, HollywoodReporter, 12 June 2026
Definition of gasps
Verb
  • Personality pants The brand to know and love right now is Chan Luu.
    — Bianca Kratky, Glamour, 21 Sep. 2026
  • 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
Definition of pants

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Cite this Entry

“Hyperventilates.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/hyperventilates. Accessed 9 Oct. 2026.

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