as in to gasp
to take in and let out a deep audible breath or to make a similar sound
Mom always used to sigh loudly whenever she found a mess on the floor—which was often a breeze sighed through the leaves
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Recent Examples of sigh
Lisa Lerer, New York Times, 26 Dec. 2024
Sighs Edward and Bella collectively sigh 168 times.
—Rebecca Alter, Vulture, 4 Sep. 2024
Anthony D'alessandro, Deadline, 1 Jan. 2025
Given the lingering effects of last year’s Hollywood labor strikes, the relative lack of big movies and a dismal first half of the year at the box office, the film industry is breathing a collective sigh of relief as 2024 comes to a close.
—Samantha Masunaga, Los Angeles Times, 29 Dec. 2024
See all Example Sentences for sigh 
Verb
This month, when asked in an interview if a woman could be elected president, Ms. Warren, who won a third Senate term in November, just sighed.
—Lisa Lerer, New York Times, 26 Dec. 2024
Sighs Edward and Bella collectively sigh 168 times.
—Rebecca Alter, Vulture, 4 Sep. 2024
Noun
There were some sighs, but nothing too earth-shattering, in If‘s lower-than-expected opening ($33M versus $40M; still a No. 1 debut).
—Anthony D'alessandro, Deadline, 1 Jan. 2025
Given the lingering effects of last year’s Hollywood labor strikes, the relative lack of big movies and a dismal first half of the year at the box office, the film industry is breathing a collective sigh of relief as 2024 comes to a close.
—Samantha Masunaga, Los Angeles Times, 29 Dec. 2024
See all Example Sentences for sigh
Recent Examples of Synonyms for sigh
Verb
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Clearly thrilled, Rae gasps, then smiles wide for a selfie with them.—
Brittany Spanos,
Rolling Stone,
21 Jan. 2025
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Lisa Warwick found her husband gasping for air at the foot of the basement stairs and knew the miracle was over.—
J. David McSwane,
ProPublica,
7 Dec. 2024
Noun
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Recent whispers from Washington suggest that tariffs are unlikely to be broad.—
Ganesh Rao,
CNBC,
16 Jan. 2025
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Veteran journalist Kim Osorio appears in the doc and says that there were whispers that Porter was a victim of Combs’ abuse, and an attorney for a client who sued Combs says her client witnessed acts of violence against Porter.—
Steven J. Horowitz,
Variety,
13 Jan. 2025
Verb
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And of course, Dennis Hopper, huffing nitrous oxide as rapist, gang leader Frank Booth is a vision of male bestiality ripped out of a Francis Bacon painting (Lynch has acknowledged Bacon as a key influence on his work).—
Christian Blauvelt,
IndieWire,
16 Jan. 2025
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Out front, Pastor Rodney Freeman and several volunteers — bundled up in thick winter coats, huffing out little clouds of breath — rush to set up the Bountiful Blessings food pantry.—
Briah Lumpkins,
Charlotte Observer,
14 Jan. 2025
Noun
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Karen has largely been taciturn about her upcoming court dates and general circumstance, but Mia kicks the door open by mentioning that Karen seemingly drunk dialed Jacqueline recently, prompting a series of nervous murmurs around the table.—
Shamira Ibrahim,
Vulture,
6 Oct. 2024
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There are other types of innocent heart murmurs, all with varying characteristics.—
Angelica Bottaro,
Verywell Health,
2 Oct. 2024
Verb
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It is regulated by breathing out carbon dioxide and by the kidneys.—
Lana Barhum,
Verywell Health,
24 Jan. 2025
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Through his poised and assured play, Daniels has breathed life into a stale Commanders organization, which has booked its first spot in the NFC Championship game since the 1991-92 season.—
Ben Morse,
CNN,
24 Jan. 2025
Verb
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America’s top professional bull riders compete this weekend at Madison Square Garden, straddling bucking, snorting beasts that can weigh as much as a ton while crowds of cheering fans spur them on.—
Ellen Wulfhorst,
New York Daily News,
2 Jan. 2025
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Then its driver revved the engine, as if to snort, and peeled out down Lexington Avenue.—
Christopher Bonanos,
Curbed,
5 Jan. 2025
Verb
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Whannell sniffs around the perimeter of a culture war subtext.—
Amy Nicholson,
Los Angeles Times,
15 Jan. 2025
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Long known for its ability to sniff out up-and-coming brands and hidden gems, the event is the largest such spirit competition in the world.—
Hudson Lindenberger,
Forbes,
15 Jan. 2025
Noun
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The ultimate effect is paradoxical: the more that Valéry eliminates the ghost of pain and passion from the logical machinery of his work, the starker and more affecting the moans and cries of the ghost become.—
Benjamin Kunkel,
The New Yorker,
9 Dec. 2024
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Against Notre Dame, the collective moan in the Coliseum with yet another last-minute loss because of Riley’s poor play calling was the breaking point for this lifelong Trojan.—
Los Angeles Times,
Los Angeles Times,
7 Dec. 2024
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Cite this Entry
“Sigh.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/sigh. Accessed 30 Jan. 2025.
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