HYPERVENTILATING Synonyms: 19 Similar Words

hyperventilating

verb

present participle of hyperventilate

as in gasping

to breathe hard, quickly, or with difficulty he was so nervous he began hyperventilating, and the extra oxygen made him dizzy

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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 hyperventilating Becerra seems to either be suppressing a cough or hyperventilating at the bit of responding to Hilton’s vaccine vacuousness. — Los Angeles Times, 1 Oct. 2026 Her husband began hyperventilating beside her and was given a paper bag. — Emily Cegielski, Flow Space, 24 Aug. 2026 News that Nikki Finke had left behind a memoir — and that her estate was seeking a publisher — had half of Hollywood hyperventilating into their Erewhon shopping bags last week. — Benjamin Svetkey, HollywoodReporter, 12 Aug. 2026 She was even famously hospitalized for hyperventilating while watching a Lakers game from home. — Rachel McRady, PEOPLE, 2 May 2026 Roscoe pulled over; his daughter started hyperventilating. — Sean Gregory, Time, 9 Dec. 2025 If this sounds like a laundry list of hyperventilating superlatives, then my work here is largely done. — Joshua Kosman, San Francisco Chronicle, 15 Nov. 2025 Specifically, a 1940s B-picture conjuring up some heavy Maria Montez mojo, known as Kiss of the Spider Woman — a typically hyperventilating melodrama that featured a vamping diva playing several parts, including the venomous title character. — David Fear, Rolling Stone, 11 Oct. 2025 The hyperactive plotting runs on hyperventilating prose. — Book Marks september 11, Literary Hub, 11 Sep. 2025

Recent Examples of Synonyms for hyperventilating

Verb

Eventually the curtain was closed again and the microphone in the room was turned off, but Pike could still be heard making gasping or snoring sounds.

— Rebecca Boone, Los Angeles Times, 2 Oct. 2026
Common symptoms of sleep apnea include loud snoring, gasping for air during the night, and waking up feeling tired.

— Lindsay Curtis, HEALTH, 27 Sep. 2026

Definition of gasping

Verb

Like some of the music, the album artwork also pays homage to the animal world and our interconnectedness—the abstract piece offers a single line drawing that weaves in outlines of a panting dog, screeching cat, stoic bunny, and wise owl.

— Selena Fragassi, SPIN, 28 Sep. 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

Definition of panting

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hyperventilates

hyperventilating

hypervigilant

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

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Synonyms of hyperventilating

verb

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