sighs of relief
Sounds of unburdening
Sighs of relief are audible exhalations expressing the release of tension, worry, or anxiety after a feared outcome fails to materialize or a stressful situation resolves favorably.
The plural form typically appears in contexts describing collective responses: There were sighs of relief all around when the test results came back negative.
A single sigh of relief marks the moment when dread gives way to calm.
- relaxBecome less tense
- exhaleExpel breath outward
- deep breathThorough filling of lungs
- easeLack of strain
- breathAir taken in
slump · gesture · smile · all clear · catharsis · gasp · chuckle · phew · yawning · tension release · unwind · reassurance · sob · solace · groan · composure · unclenching · loosen