dry heaving

Definitions

The act of making involuntary retching movements without actually vomiting.

A physical reflex involving spasmodic contractions of the stomach and diaphragm that produces no expelled matter.

Examples

The intense smell of the chemical spill caused the workers to start dry heaving.

After running the marathon in the sweltering heat, he collapsed on the grass and began dry heaving.

Synonyms

retching gagging heaving dry vomiting nausea-induced spasms

Antonyms

swallowing digesting retaining food settled stomach normal breathing