H2 Raman linewidths provide a probe of intermolecular potentials and have been examined in the past to explore collisional dynamic characteristics in high‐pressure gas mixtures. We report the measurement of H2 Δv = 1 Q‐branch lines, Q(0)– Q(5), and pure rotational lines, S(0)– S(5), in supercritical water and high‐pressure carbon dioxide at 450 °C and pressures up to 50 MPa. The data are analyzed by separating the contributions to the line broadening due to different collisional processes characterized as vibrational dephasing, inelastic J‐changing and rotational reorientation. The linear broadening coefficients for these different processes are determined. Both water and carbon dioxide are shown to be much more effective at disturbing H2 rotation than other less polar molecules that have been examined in the past. Water is shown to be much more effective at causing inelastic J‐changing relaxation than carbon dioxide. Elastic rotational reorientation rates are comparable for both colliders. Copyright © 2000 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.