hyperventilate

[ hahy-per-ven-tl-eyt ]

verb (used without object)

, hy·per·ven·ti·lat·ed, hy·per·ven·ti·lat·ing.

1. to be afflicted with hyperventilation; breathe abnormally fast and deep.

verb (used with object)

, hy·per·ven·ti·lat·ed, hy·per·ven·ti·lat·ing.

1. to cause (a patient) to breathe more rapidly and deeply than normal.

hyperventilate

/ ˌhaɪpəˈvɛntɪleɪt /

verb

1. intr to breathe in an abnormally deep, long, and rapid manner, sometimes resulting in cramp and dizziness

Word History and Origins

Origin of hyperventilate¹

First recorded in 1930–35; back formation from hyperventilation

Example Sentences

“You can’t see anything and you are just hoping for the best. I was hyperventilating in the car. My husband was on the phone. He’s like, ‘You can do this,’ ” she recalled.

From Los Angeles Times

“Shrinking,” being a show about therapy and grief, asks us to consider something brave — especially before an election that has many hyperventilating into paper bags.

From Salon

Everyone else’s alarm may be reflected in Alicent’s quiet hyperventilating with her eyes frozen wide with horror and disillusionment as she finally grasps her total powerlessness.

From Salon

As Brooklyn tried to keep from hyperventilating, Sydney used her flashlight to see how far the wall stretched and discovered it continued into the darkness well beyond the reach of her beam.

From Literature

Prosecutors said police found Jack Callahan at a home distraught and hyperventilating.

From Seattle Times