inhale

verb

in·​hale in-ˈhāl How to pronounce inhale (audio)
inhaled; inhaling
Synonyms of inhalenext

transitive verb

1
: to draw in by breathing
2
: to take in eagerly or greedily
… inhaled about four meals at once.—Ring Lardner

intransitive verb

: to breathe in
inhale
in-ˈhāl How to pronounce inhale (audio)
ˈin-ˌhāl
noun

Synonyms of inhale

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Examples of inhale in a Sentence

This medicine can now be inhaled. She inhaled the fresh country air. He inhaled deeply and exhaled slowly, trying to relax. After inhaling their dinner, the children ran out the door without even saying goodbye.
Recent Examples on the Web
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.
Slice off a wedge of cornbread, then, and inhale the toasty steam that rises up. — Bill Addison, Los Angeles Times, 22 Oct. 2026 Without a mask, without fear of needing lung implants, without having to worry about inhaling a soupçon of strychnine or similar industrial pollutants. — Jeff Spry, Space.com, 21 Oct. 2026 Nevertheless, improper storage can have serious consequences, particularly if the thorium is inhaled or ingested. — Glenn Zorpette, IEEE Spectrum, 15 Oct. 2026 Those products are made with tiny particles that are more likely to be inhaled or absorbed by marine organisms. — ABC News, 14 Oct. 2026 See All Example Sentences for inhale

Word History

Etymology

in- + exhale

First Known Use

1725, in the meaning defined at transitive sense 1

Time Traveler
The first known use of inhale was in 1725

Rhymes for inhale

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Browse Nearby Words

inhalator
inhale
inhaler
See all Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Inhale.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/inhale. Accessed 27 Oct. 2026.

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Kids Definition

inhale

verb
in·​hale in-ˈhā(ə)l How to pronounce inhale (audio)
inhaled; inhaling
1
: to draw in by breathing
2
: to breathe in

Medical Definition

inhale

verb
in·​hale in-ˈhā(ə)l How to pronounce inhale (audio)
inhaled; inhaling

transitive verb

: to draw in by breathing

intransitive verb

: to breathe in
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