breathless

adjective

ˈbreth-ləs How to pronounce breathless (audio)
Definition of breathlessnext
1
as in close
lacking fresh air the room was hot and breathless

Synonyms & Similar Words

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Antonyms & Near Antonyms
2
as in rapid
moving, proceeding, or acting with great speed ran at a breathless pace to get help

Synonyms & Similar Words

Antonyms & Near Antonyms
3
as in fallen
no longer living carried the breathless body of his beloved dog back home

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 breathless In regard to more recent speculation about Kidman’s personal life, her British Vogue interview didn’t address the breathless reports about a possible new man in her life. — Martha Ross, Mercury News, 14 Aug. 2026 With breathless hype and repeat viewings galore, the superhero sequel will cross $2 billion worldwide at a near-record pace. — Rebecca Rubin, Variety, 12 Aug. 2026 The story has all the makings of a viral documentary replete with breathless details, similar to the ones McDonnell’s company produced. — Cheyenne Roundtree, Rolling Stone, 11 Aug. 2026 What results is a breathless biography of one man’s quest for scientific enlightenment in the age of AI. — Monitor Reviewers, Christian Science Monitor, 10 Aug. 2026 See All Example Sentences for breathless
Recent Examples of Synonyms for breathless
  1. close
  2. rapid
  3. fallen
  4. suffocating
  5. brisk
  6. dead
  7. stifling
  8. quick
Adjective
  • California Cruise is even closer than expected, with deliveries slated to begin next year.
    — New Atlas, New Atlas, 30 Aug. 2026
  • The success of this trial was possible through the close and constructive cooperation between the participating German Air Force organisations, the exercise management team and the expert teams from Rheinmetall Air Defence and Hensoldt.
    — Prabhat Ranjan Mishra, Interesting Engineering, 30 Aug. 2026
Definition of close
Adjective
  • Motion Applied brings experience from motorsport, where power electronics face rapid load changes and intense operating conditions.
    — Aamir Khollam, Interesting Engineering, 2 Sep. 2026
  • The fear that rapid technological advances could threaten nuclear stability is not new.
    — Jeffrey Lewis, Foreign Affairs, 1 Sep. 2026
Definition of rapid
Adjective
  • So it’s supposed to be the narration of a fallen soldier, like the guy who’s actually dying.
    — Charles Moss, SPIN, 1 Sep. 2026
  • Compost Fallen Leaves Instead of mowing, consider raking the fallen leaves into a compost pile.
    — SJ McShane, Martha Stewart, 29 Aug. 2026
Definition of fallen
Adjective
  • The Valkyries won their third straight game, defeating the Sparks 78-58 behind a suffocating defensive performance.
    — Nathan Canilao, Mercury News, 16 June 2026
  • The Fleet played a suffocating style of hockey, with a strong forecheck and the ability to wear down opponents with relentless offensive-zone pressure.
    — Hailey Salvian, New York Times, 16 June 2026
Definition of suffocating
Adjective
  • Warsh said business investment, led by AI spending and consumer demand, remains brisk.
    — Rob Wile, NBC news, 1 Sep. 2026
  • For the cardio portion, Cleveland Clinic recommends brisk walking, biking, dancing, swimming, rowing, stair climbing or elliptical training.
    — Samantha Agate, Sacbee.com, 31 Aug. 2026
Definition of brisk
Adjective
  • Current policy allows airport facilities to be named only for people who have been dead at least two years and who made significant contributions to the airport authority or aviation in Middle Tennessee.
    — Hadley Hitson, USA Today, 28 Aug. 2026
  • To that end, Chris Diamantopoulos looks like an inspired bit of casting as Mitch McNamara, a government agent who swoops in to examine eight dead Jasons and a ninth the police are holding in an interrogation room.
    — Scott Tobias, Vulture, 28 Aug. 2026
Definition of dead
Adjective
  • For all the deserved talk about the Knicks’ dynamic offense, the defense has been far more stifling than their reputation suggests.
    — Fred Katz, New York Times, 15 May 2026
  • Her mother, who had a staid upbringing in California, came to New York in the early sixties looking for someplace more diverse and less stifling.
    — Molly Fischer, New Yorker, 2 Apr. 2026
Definition of stifling
Adjective
  • Police credited the group's quick response with helping save the woman's life.
    — ABC News, ABC News, 3 Sep. 2026
  • Then the bear tossed a quick glance at Corle and fled into the underbrush.
    — Jan Thacker, Outdoor Life, 3 Sep. 2026
Definition of quick

Browse Nearby Words

breathing (out)
breathless
breaths
See all Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Breathless.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/breathless. Accessed 5 Sep. 2026.

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