dry heave

American  

[drahy heev] / ˈdraɪ ˈhiv /

Or dry-heave

verb (used without object)

1. to make an involuntary effort to vomit, but without bringing anything up; retch.

   I dry heave every time I think back to that awful incident.

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Etymology

Origin of dry heave

First recorded in 1915–20

Example Sentences

But writing a trauma play makes me want to dry heave.

From New York Times • Feb. 17, 2022

Fisheye lenses make the walls close in around her, and when the camera does move it’s sometimes attached to her body, careening around the psych ward like it’s looking for a place to dry heave.

From Slate • Mar. 20, 2018

"From bringing national attention to post-Katrina rebuilding, to offering locals a series with accents that don't induce a full body dry heave, it's a show whose time has come."

From Reuters • Apr. 7, 2010

Then, without warning, I pretend to dry heave, then burst into a fit of coughs.

From "Legend" by Marie Lu

Related Words

• eject
• gag
• heave
• regurgitate