exhale

This term describes the physical act of expelling air from the lungs, serving as the direct physiological opposite of inhaling. It carries a strong association with release, whether it is the mechanical movement of breath or the discharge of gases from a vent. In a psychological or emotional context, the word often signals the end of tension. When used to describe a sigh or a feeling, it suggests a sudden transition from stress to relief, capturing the moment a person lets go of a burden or a held breath.