shallow breath
Barely filling lungs
A shallow breath is one that doesn't fill the lungs fully—a quick, light inhalation that moves only the upper chest rather than expanding the diaphragm.
The phrase often appears in medical or wellness contexts, where shallow breathing signals anxiety, poor posture, or respiratory issues: The doctor noted her shallow breaths and ordered tests.
Deep breathing is the corrective opposite.
- gaspSudden sharp breath
- pantBreathe in labored gasps
- wheezeWhistling labored breath
- inhaleDraw air in
- exhaleExpel breath outward
suffocate · hyperventilate · paper bag · chest · tight · anxious · panic · panic attack · fight or flight · flutter · rapid · racing heart · faint · dizzy · lightheaded · constricted · air · lungs
- breathinginhalation, exhalation, inhale, exhale, respiration
- breathing actionsinhales, gasps
- inhalationinhale, breaths, gasp, sniff, pant
- deathbedlast words, final moments, dying wish, last rites, deathbed
- Breathworkpranayama, counting breaths, rebirthing
- weakened thingsweak link, thin ice, brittle bone, worn tread, dying ember
shallow, breath, shallower, shallowest, shallowness, shallows, breathe, breather, breathing