Definition

Noun: 1. A sigh; the act of sighing: A suspiration is a single, audible exhalation of breath, typically expressing a feeling such as sadness, weariness, relief, or longing. 2. The sound of a sigh: It can refer specifically to the sound produced by such an exhalation.

Usage

• Suspiration is a formal or literary word. In everyday speech, "sigh" is far more common.
• It is typically used as a countable noun (e.g., , ).
• It often describes a sound or action laden with emotion.

Examples

• She let out a soft suspiration of relief when the test was over.
• The only sound in the quiet room was the faint suspiration of the sleeping child.
• He heard her suspiration, a sound of profound weariness.

Advanced Usage

• Poetic/Literary Device: "Suspiration" is frequently used in poetry and prose to convey deep emotion or to create a specific auditory atmosphere.
  • "A suspiration of the wind through the pines was the sole reply."

Variants and Related Words

• Suspire (verb, archaic/poetic): To sigh.
  • "She suspired deeply, thinking of days gone by."

Synonyms

• Sigh (n): The most common and direct synonym.
• Exhalation (n): A more neutral, physiological term for breathing out.
• Breath (n): Can be used poetically in a similar context (e.g., ).

Antonyms

• Inhalation (n): The act of breathing in.
• Inspiration (n, in the physiological sense): The drawing in of breath.

Noun

1. an utterance made by exhaling audibly