inhaling

Definition of inhalingnext
present participle of inhale
as in devouring
to swallow or eat greedily inhaled the doughnuts so quickly that you would have missed it if you blinked

Synonyms & Similar Words

Relevance

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

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 inhaling People typically become infected with the virus by inhaling microscopic particles from these rodents' urine, feces or saliva, according to Stanford Health. Alyssa Goldberg, USA Today, 18 May 2026 Social media trends are fueling a dangerous form of substance use among teenagers in the United States involving common household and commercial products, including inhaling nitrous oxide, or laughing gas. Katia Hetter, CNN Money, 15 May 2026 Vaping refers to the practice of inhaling vapor through e-cigarettes or vape pens. Joshua P. Cohen, Forbes.com, 15 May 2026 Transmission risk Andes hantavirus is a rare infection in humans, and the vast majority of cases are acquired via exposure to rodents or inhaling particles from their droppings, urine, or bodily fluids. Beth Mole, ArsTechnica, 11 May 2026 Who said what Hantavirus is a rare and deadly virus usually spread by inhaling rodent droppings, but the Andes strain found in the infected passengers can spread through close human contact, the World Health Organization said. Peter Weber, TheWeek, 11 May 2026 Hantavirus is primarily spread by inhaling mouse feces and urine. Eva Flowe may 8, Charlotte Observer, 8 May 2026 Hantavirus usually spreads by inhaling contaminated rodent droppings. Sam McNeil, Los Angeles Times, 7 May 2026 Infection is usually caused by inhaling germs from the rodents’ urine, droppings or saliva that have become airborne. Lauren Dunn, NBC news, 7 May 2026
Recent Examples of Synonyms for inhaling
Verb
  • Picture him in his threadbare suit, nervously smoking his Tecla cigarettes, his eyes obliquely devouring everything, his notes on a small table that resembles a pulpit.
    Literary Hub, Literary Hub, 11 May 2026
  • He’s been devouring the genre since, recommending new reads on his TikTok account.
    Clare Mulroy, USA Today, 9 May 2026
Verb
  • This viral anti-slip slow feeder lick bowl helps prevent gulping and bloating, while keeping your dogs entertained for longer with a healthy, fun challenge.
    Kasey Caminiti, USA Today, 20 Feb. 2026
  • Yes, gulping the liquid the night before was an ordeal — try drinking three liters of anything in three hours, going to sleep, then waking up six hours later for one final liter.
    Gustavo Arellano, Los Angeles Times, 3 Feb. 2026
Verb
  • But the line is shifting towards the Mediterranean Sea, cramming Gaza’s population into a shrinking strip of land.
    Tal Shalev, CNN Money, 14 May 2026
  • Instead of cramming an itinerary, dark sky travelers often build trips around a single celestial event or a multi-night stay somewhere remote enough to actually see the stars.
    Hanna Wickes, Kansas City Star, 12 May 2026

Browse Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Inhaling.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/inhaling. Accessed 23 May. 2026.

More from Merriam-Webster on inhaling

Love words? Need even more definitions?

Subscribe to America's largest dictionary and get thousands more definitions and advanced search—ad free!

More from Merriam-Webster