breathing 1 of 2

adjective

Definition of breathingnext
as in alive
having or showing life realized that he didn't need a comic-book superhero, since he had a real, breathing hero in his father

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Antonyms & Near Antonyms

breathing

2 of 2

verb

present participle of breathe
1
as in snoring
to inhale and exhale air sometimes it gets so hot in here that it's hard to even breathe

Synonyms & Similar Words

Antonyms & Near Antonyms
2
as in living
to have life as long as I breathe, you will have a place to stay

Synonyms & Similar Words

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 breathing
Verb
Cats breathing with their mouths open should also be treated as an emergency. — Derek James, CBS News, 29 June 2026 Salcedo is now breathing with the help of a ventilator and has just a 15% chance of survival, said his father, Javier Salcedo. — Kate Linthicum, Los Angeles Times, 30 June 2026 For some, the virus can attack the nervous system, causing permanent paralysis, breathing difficulties and death. — Melissa Rudy, FOXNews.com, 1 July 2026 Once outside, paramedics determined that Martin had stopped breathing, removed his handcuffs and began CPR. — Shaun Goodwin, Idaho Statesman, 26 June 2026 Her father refused to believe it, and within weeks, Rebecca was breathing independently. — Mike Hixenbaugh, NBC news, 30 June 2026 The abdomen may significantly protrude, pushing the diaphragm upward and making breathing more difficult. — Jennifer Borresen, USA Today, 3 July 2026 Leyton also said the parents called a veterinarian to have the family’s dog treated on the morning Casper died before later calling 911 because the boy wasn’t breathing, according to WJRT. — Christina Coulter, PEOPLE, 29 June 2026 Casper O’Brien, who lived with his family in Flint Township, Michigan, died on November 4, 2025 at a local hospital, after paramedics responded to a 911 call about a child having difficulty breathing, according to a Flint Township police report. — Alisha Ebrahimji, CNN Money, 30 June 2026
Recent Examples of Synonyms for breathing
  1. alive
  2. snoring
  3. living
  4. live
  5. respiring
Adjective
  • The family fought for three hours last July Fourth to stay alive after more than a summer’s worth of rain fell overnight on bone-dry soil, pushing the waterway from about 3 feet to 30 feet in just 45 minutes.
    — Alisha Ebrahimji, CNN Money, 6 July 2026
  • The next day, a team from Chile, utilizing radar and sonar sound-detection equipment, confirmed the presence of Gil, still alive, in the sub-basement.
    — Mery Mogollón, Los Angeles Times, 5 July 2026
Definition of alive
Verb
  • Being in the same room can make issues worse, with choosing what to watch on television and snoring being the biggest annoyances.
    — Kathleen Wong, USA Today, 9 June 2026
  • The warning signs in men include snoring while women often experience unrefreshing slumber, daytime fatigue or feeling exhausted despite spending enough time in bed.
    — Emily Cegielski, Flow Space, 4 June 2026
Definition of snoring
Verb
  • Some of the rest of us might have imagined it, if only because Alpert clearly has the best shot of any of us of living forever.
    — Chris Willman, Variety, 7 July 2026
  • Seven astronauts who are part of Expedition 74 are living and working aboard the International Space Station.
    — Eric Lagatta, USA Today, 7 July 2026
Definition of living
Adjective
  • Finished over live heat for caramelization, the ribs develop a sticky, smoky crust without requiring a smoker.
    — Staff, FOXNews.com, 3 July 2026
  • Save 25% on NBC News subscription Get exclusive reporting, live Q&As and ad-free reading.
    — Corky Siemaszko, NBC news, 3 July 2026
Definition of live
Verb
  • When the soil becomes saturated from overwatering, the pores fill with water, limiting oxygen and preventing the roots from respiring.
    — Olivia McIntosh, Martha Stewart, 12 May 2026
Definition of respiring

Browse Nearby Words

breathes (out)
breathing
breathing (out)
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Cite this Entry

“Breathing.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/breathing. Accessed 7 Jul. 2026.

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More from Merriam-Webster on breathing

Nglish: Translation of breathing for Spanish Speakers

Britannica.com: Encyclopedia article about breathing

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