hyperventilated

verb

past tense of hyperventilate
as in gasped
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 hyperventilated Advertisement Not every variety-show booking delighted every viewer (just ask the stiffs who hyperventilated when Elvis wiggled his hips on Sullivan’s stage), but there was enough, most nights, to captivate tens of millions of them. — Judy Berman, Time, 22 May 2026
Recent Examples of Synonyms for hyperventilated
  1. gasped
  2. panted
Verb
  • Those in the crowd held their breath—and audibly gasped—as the opening to season three unfolded onscreen.
    — Kenneal Patterson, Vanity Fair, 30 July 2026
  • As Rushdie was being introduced, his attacker climbed on stage behind him, then stabbed him 15 times as the audience gasped.
    — Jennifer Peltz, Los Angeles Times, 29 July 2026
Definition of gasped
Verb
  • Pet owners spoke reassuringly to their dogs, who panted and pawed their owners, and to their mewing cats.
    — Teri Figueroa, San Diego Union-Tribune, 8 June 2026
  • On one of the machines a Cluely employee panted and huffed in the dark.
    — Sam Kriss, Harpers Magazine, 24 Feb. 2026
Definition of panted

Browse Nearby Words

hyperventilate
hyperventilated
hyperventilates
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Cite this Entry

“Hyperventilated.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/hyperventilated. Accessed 6 Aug. 2026.

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