as in to gasp
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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Example Sentences
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Recent Examples of hyperventilate
One man began to hyperventilate while handcuffed on the ground after being detained.
—
Alexandra Mendoza, San Diego Union-Tribune, 23 May 2025
For full effect read it aloud and hyperventilate a little.
—Krista Kafer, Denver Post, 19 May 2025
Then Tanev left the game, and fans were probably hyperventilating.
—James Mirtle, New York Times, 10 May 2025
Here’s a question for the hyperventilating media.
—Neal B. Freeman, National Review, 19 Feb. 2025
See All Example Sentences for hyperventilate
Alexandra Mendoza, San Diego Union-Tribune, 23 May 2025
For full effect read it aloud and hyperventilate a little.
—Krista Kafer, Denver Post, 19 May 2025
Then Tanev left the game, and fans were probably hyperventilating.
—James Mirtle, New York Times, 10 May 2025
Here’s a question for the hyperventilating media.
—Neal B. Freeman, National Review, 19 Feb. 2025
See All Example Sentences for hyperventilate
Recent Examples of Synonyms for hyperventilate
Verb
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Stunned spectators gasp and scream before people start running away.—
Jesse Bedayn,
Fortune,
11 Sep. 2025
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Some exchanges were breathtaking — to them, certainly, and to spectators who gasped at the power during longer points.—
Howard Fendrich,
Mercury News,
6 Sep. 2025
Verb
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Our elders know how to make tools and sealskin pants the right way.—
Jennie Punter,
Variety,
5 Sep. 2025
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Howard’s best comedies have a light, almost effortless touch, but this one is panting and gasping essentially from the opening frames.—
Will Leitch,
Vulture,
22 Aug. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Hyperventilate.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/hyperventilate. Accessed 17 Sep. 2025.
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