Skip to main content
Glite Dictionary
to suspire

to suspire

1 9.9
To breathe out slowly when you feel sad, tired, or relieved
  • verb
  • /səˈspaɪər/
  • Archaic
: susurrar
  • The weary traveler suspired at the sight of his home.

Examples

  • After hearing the good news, he couldn't help but suspire with joy.

  • Why do you always suspire when I mention that place?

  • As the music faded, she could not help but suspire softly.

  • He suspires heavily before sharing the sad news.

  • After a long day at work, she suspired in relief as she sank into her chair.

  • He suspired deeply, longing for the days when life was simpler.

  • Feeling overwhelmed, she allowed herself to suspire quietly while staring out the window.

Synonyms

to sigh
vsto suspire
387 1.0

To breathe out slowly so others can hear because you feel tired, sad, or relieved

often signals longing rather than tiredness
to heave
vsto suspire
18 4.3

To breathe out loudly because of effort or strong feeling

is an emotional gentle sign rather than a forceful effort
to let out a sigh
vsto suspire
7 2.3

To breathe out slowly because you feel relieved, tired, or disappointed

may serve mainly as a sign rather than an explicit audible act

How Deep

to sob
141 1.0
to suspire
  • Archaic
1 9.9
to sigh
5 1.9
to exhale
127 2.6

Surface Forms

suspire infinitive
suspired past
suspired past participle
suspiring present participle

Etymology

Suspire comes from Latin parts sub- meaning 'under' and spirare meaning 'to breathe', and it is the same root you see in inspire and respire. So, suspire means to let out a long, deep breath or sigh.