EXHALE Synonyms: 44 Similar and Opposite Words

exhale

verb

eks-ˈhāl

Definition of exhale

as in to expel

to let or force out of the lungs before answering, the suspect exhaled a cloud of cigarette smoke

Synonyms & Similar Words

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Antonyms & Near Antonyms

as in to radiate

to throw or give off the lilacs were exhaling a sweet fragrance that virtually filled the room

Synonyms & Similar Words

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

Example Sentences

Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.

Recent Examples of exhale When the Aschenbrenner fund was removed, markets seemed to exhale. — Nick Lichtenberg, Fortune, 30 July 2026 Hubbard and his family can be heard exhaling as soon as the hook was dislodged. — Amaris Encinas, USA Today, 28 July 2026 After a calendar year of agonizing over their list, Forton was finally able to exhale at the end of the night. — Matthew Fairburn, New York Times, 27 July 2026 More impressively, Melton manages to exhale a puff of smoke so thick that cinematographer Magnus Nordenhof Jønck can still see it through the set’s fog. — Amy Nicholson, Los Angeles Times, 23 July 2026 See All Example Sentences for exhale

Recent Examples of Synonyms for exhale

Verb

As a result, students who should have been suspended, expelled, or otherwise held accountable for dangerous or disruptive behavior remained in the classroom.

— Cory Turner, NPR, 25 Aug. 2026
Like Castañeda, Ochoa — the boy expelled during Eisenhower’s operation — returned to the United States as a teenager.

— Isa Farfan, Los Angeles Times, 24 Aug. 2026

Definition of expel

Verb

Feliciano and Jones radiated energy and exuberance throughout their first press conference as the principal owners of the Padres.

— Dennis Lin, New York Times, 25 Aug. 2026
The Happy Hours star radiated in a strapless deep purple silk dress with a distressed scoop neckline and asymmetrical draping on her left hip, creating a ruched effect that cascaded down to the ankle-length hemline.

— Lara Walsh, InStyle, 22 Aug. 2026

Definition of radiate

Verb

The referendum campaign has fueled debate about Iceland’s place in the world, Prime Minister Kristrun Frostadottir told reporters after casting her ballot in the capital on Saturday.

— Reuters, NBC news, 30 Aug. 2026
The Holocaust monument took Treister five years to design and sculpt, and included research in Jerusalem and work in Taiwan and Mexico City, where his sculptures were cast.

— Lauren Costantino, Miami Herald, 29 Aug. 2026

Definition of cast

Verb

Police were not immediately releasing the victims’ names pending notification of their families.

— Madison E. Goldberg, PEOPLE, 1 Sep. 2026
The trailer was released Monday before the Cubs showdown with the Brewers, which usually would’ve been the big story of the day if not for the fact that Milwaukee led the division by eight games with a month left.

— Paul Sullivan, Chicago Tribune, 1 Sep. 2026

Definition of release

Verb

Another interpretation is that people would rather spend their limited time on prose that emanated from another human mind.

— Will Oremus, The Atlantic, 27 Aug. 2026
Persistent cheers emanated from outside the locker room, where kids flanked the ramp to see the Ravens take the practice field.

— Jeff Zrebiec, New York Times, 25 Aug. 2026

Definition of emanate

Verb

Palal acknowledged that Davis’ accounts of the killing evolved over the years but argued those differences reflected Davis’ changing motivations and efforts to protect himself.

— Jonathan Landrum Jr, Chicago Tribune, 1 Sep. 2026
The soft gray-white rattan complements the tailored beige high-density comfort cushions and creates an airy backdrop for your ever-evolving collection of seasonal all-weather pillows and throws.

— Maria Conti, Better Homes & Gardens, 1 Sep. 2026

Definition of evolve

Browse Nearby Words

exfoliating

exhale

exhaled

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Cite this Entry

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“Exhale.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/exhale. Accessed 2 Sep. 2026.

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Synonyms of exhale

verb

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