Learn English – Terminology for fake photograph

You might say courteous or polite. Both of these suggest an action which is in some sense insincere, but which is motivated for other good and defensible reasons.

There are a few words that come to mind, but all have subtle connotations:

• gasp - connotes desperation or exhaustion, the boy gave a gasp of agony.
• gulp - connotes taking in a large quantity of air in a single action, some may gulp air at the water surface but not absorb the contained O₂ for respiration.
• suck - connotes drawing in air gradually, he began to suck in air through his mouth.