respire vs breathe

respire and breathe both are verbs.

Word	Noun	Adjective	Verb	Adverb
respire	No	No	Yes	No
breathe	No	No	Yes	No

As verbs, respire and breathe are synonyms defined as:

Other synonyms of respire include suspire, take a breath.

As verbs, breathe is a hypernym of respire; that is, breathe is a word with a broader meaning than respire:

Other hypernyms of respire include respire, suspire, take a breath.

respire (verb)	breathe (verb)
draw air into, and expel out of, the lungs	draw air into, and expel out of, the lungs
undergo the biomedical and metabolic processes of respiration by taking up oxygen and producing carbon monoxide	expel (gases or odors)
breathe easily again, as after exertion or anxiety	reach full flavor by absorbing air and being let to stand after having been uncorked
	take a short break from one's activities in order to relax
	utter or tell
	manifest or evince
	impart as if by breathing
	be alive
	allow the passage of air through