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short of breath

ADJECTIVE
breathless
Synonyms
WEAK
asthmatic blown choking emphysematous exhausted gasping gulping out of breath panting short-winded spent stertorous wheezing winded
Antonyms
WEAK
breathy calm
ADVERB
out of breath
Synonyms
WEAK
breathless dyspneic panting short-winded winded

Example Sentences

Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.

This past December, Schiefer began feeling short of breath and tight in his chest.

From The Wall Street Journal • Apr. 24, 2026

Last year, Holy Week was the setting for the Argentine pontiff's final public appearances, during which he appeared frail and short of breath.

From Barron's • Apr. 1, 2026

Seven Disneyland employees were treated at hospitals on Tuesday after an odor in a backstage area at the park caused them to become dizzy and short of breath.

From Los Angeles Times • Mar. 10, 2026

There were widespread reports of people coughing and gagging on the smoke, feeling short of breath and suffering from eye pain due to the irritants in the air.

From Salon • Sep. 3, 2024

Then, short of breath, he decided to walk the rest of the way.

From "Dog Squad" by Chris Grabenstein