hyperventilate

[hahy-per-ven-tl-eyt]

verb (used without object)

hyperventilated, hyperventilating 

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

verb (used with object)

hyperventilated, hyperventilating 

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

He is fond of hyperventilating language, such as claiming the country is facing an “existential threat” from the “left-wing revolution.”

From Salon

When the body hyperventilates, the sympathetic nervous system is activated, triggering the body’s “fight or flight” response.

From Salon

Ms Benson said she explained her son's medical history and told the call handler he was hyperventilating, in agony and could not move.

From BBC

“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