Find Synonyms
breathing Synonyms
Another word for breathing
Choosing another word for breathing depends on context, so the 10 synonyms and similar words below are separated across 3 exact definitions and ranked by match strength.
• noun (Context 1)
The biological process of taking air into and expelling it from the lungs; respiration.
Usage Example
"Deep, slow respiration can help reduce stress and lower your heart rate before a presentation."
Strongest
respiration
Strong
ventilation
inhalation
exhalation
• adjective (Context 2)
Taking air into and expelling it from the lungs; alive and respiring.
Usage Example
"The rescue team was relieved to find a living, respiring survivor beneath the rubble."
Strongest
respiring
living
alive
Strong
vital
animate
• noun (Context 3)
In Ancient Greek orthography, a diacritical mark placed over an initial vowel or dipthong to indicate the presence (rough breathing) or absence (smooth breathing) of an initial 'h' sound.
Usage Example
"Students of classical Greek must pay close attention to the aspiration marks above initial vowels."
Strong
aspiration
Opposites of breathing
The opposite of breathing shifts depending on context. Common opposites include:
dead
lifeless
asphyxiation
suffocation
deceased
apnea
breathless
inanimate
• Nearby Words
Cite this Entry
Wordmom. (2026). Synonyms for Breathing. In Wordmom Thesaurus. Retrieved Nov 5, 2026, from https://wordmom.com/synonyms/breathing