breathlessness
Struggling for air
Breathlessness is the state of being out of breath—gasping or struggling to get air, whether from exertion, illness, or strong emotion.
She paused on the stairs, overcome by breathlessness.
The word also captures the quality of intense anticipation or excitement that seems to suspend normal breathing: the breathlessness of first love, a breathlessness in his voice as he described the discovery.
Amazement or curiosity
- speechlessUnable to talk
- overwhelmedDefeated by sheer volume
- stunnedShocked into speechlessness
- amazedOverwhelmed by sudden wonder
astonished · moved · magnificent · sublime · transcendent · beauty · spellbound · captivated
Labored respiration condition
- wheezingHarsh, whistling respiration
- tachypneaAbnormally quick breathing rate
- respiratory distressImpaired breathing function
- inhalerPortable respiratory medication device
bronchitis · emphysema · pneumonia · COPD · pulmonary · fibrosis · asthma · nebulizer
Blocked airway condition
- smotheringDepriving of air
- asphyxiationDeath from oxygen loss
- stranglingCompressing throat to suffocate
- oxygen deprivationInsufficient breathable gas supply
gasping for air · constriction · drowning · oppressive · crushing · struggling · desperate · blue lips
Abnormally rapid respiration
- palpitationsAwareness of abnormal heartbeat
- anxiety attackAcute overwhelming fear response
- terrorExtreme, overwhelming fear
- claustrophobiaDread of enclosed areas
trembling · tachycardia · fight or flight · overwhelm · dread · chest tightness · tingling · dizziness
Breathing in sharp gulps
- pantingRapid labored breathing
- windedShort of breath
- huffingLabored, audible breathing
- cardiovascularOf heart and blood vessels
aerobic · running · sprinting · climbing · swimming · marathon · cardio · fatigue
Anxious uncertainty about outcomes
- waitingRemaining in expectation
- edge of seatState of rapt tension
- expectantAwaiting something foreseen
- tenseStrained or nervous
heart-pounding · cliffhanger · nail-biting · dramatic pause · momentous · thrilling · pregnant pause · countdown
Intense, persistent desire
- desireIntense wanting
- yearningIntense prolonged craving
- ardorIntense emotional warmth
- infatuationShort-lived intense attraction
swooning · lovesick · heart racing · flushed · intoxicated · rapture · ecstasy · fervor
wonder
Amazement or curiosity
- speechlessUnable to talk
- overwhelmedDefeated by sheer volume
- stunnedShocked into speechlessness
amazed · astonished · moved · magnificent · sublime · transcendent · beauty · spellbound · captivated · gasp
dyspnea
Labored respiration condition
- wheezingHarsh, whistling respiration
- tachypneaAbnormally quick breathing rate
- respiratory distressImpaired breathing function
inhaler · bronchitis · emphysema · pneumonia · COPD · pulmonary · fibrosis · asthma · nebulizer · spirometry
choking
Blocked airway condition
- smotheringDepriving of air
- asphyxiationDeath from oxygen loss
- stranglingCompressing throat to suffocate
gasping for air · oxygen deprivation · constriction · drowning · oppressive · crushing · struggling · desperate · blue lips · cyanosis
hyperventilation
Abnormally rapid respiration
- palpitationsAwareness of abnormal heartbeat
- anxiety attackAcute overwhelming fear response
- terrorExtreme, overwhelming fear
claustrophobia · trembling · tachycardia · fight or flight · overwhelm · dread · chest tightness · tingling · dizziness · paper bag
gasping
Breathing in sharp gulps
cardiovascular · aerobic · running · sprinting · climbing · swimming · marathon · cardio · fatigue · overexertion
suspense
Anxious uncertainty about outcomes
- waitingRemaining in expectation
- edge of seatState of rapt tension
- expectantAwaiting something foreseen
tense · heart-pounding · cliffhanger · nail-biting · dramatic pause · momentous · thrilling · pregnant pause · countdown · on tenterhooks
longing
Intense, persistent desire
infatuation · swooning · lovesick · heart racing · flushed · intoxicated · rapture · ecstasy · fervor · consumed
- Respiratory Problemsasthma, bronchitis, pneumonia, COPD, emphysema
- breathinginhalation, exhalation, inhale, exhale, respiration
- anticipationanticipating, expectation, expectancy, expecting, awaiting
- bodily sensationspain, ache, tingling, burning, numbness
- body responsesfight, flight, shivering, freeze, goosebumps
- Body Sensationstension, fatigue, headache, pain, numbness
breathlessnessbreath control
Managing exhalation deliberately
deep breathing · steady breathing · lung capacity · respiratory health
breathlessnesscalm
Free from agitation
composure · serenity · tranquility · equanimity · collectedness
breathlessnessmeasured pace
Regulated speed of movement
unhurriedness · deliberateness · leisureliness · slowness · methodicalness
breath, breathe, breathing, breather, breathed, breathless, breathy, shortness of breath, rebreathe