GASP Synonyms: 57 Similar and Opposite Words

gasp 1 of 2

verb

ˈgasp

Definition of gasp

as in to pant

to breathe hard, quickly, or with difficulty the runner was audibly gasping by the end of the marathon

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gasp

2 of 2

noun

as in sigh

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Example Sentences

Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.

Recent Examples of gasp

Verb

The crowd of 39,077 at Citi Field gasped and even applauded some when the replay was shown on the large videoboard in center. — CBS News, 26 June 2026 Sometimes poetry leaves the cinema behind, gasping for breath. — David Denby, New Yorker, 21 June 2026

Noun

That leaves one slot open, which could easily go to another Pitt actor, Pluribus love interest Karolina Wydra, or, gasp, Sydney Sweeney, who received strong reviews for her work on the final season of Euphoria. — Rebecca Ford, Vanity Fair, 25 June 2026 Naturally, googling Messi and Roccuzzo yields some truly deranged headlines, such as one from the Daily Mail that suggests the couple’s 2023 trip to a Publix supermarket was (gasp) staged. — Emma Specter, Vogue, 24 June 2026 See All Example Sentences for gasp

Recent Examples of Synonyms for gasp

Verb

Like Fritz said, Tiafoe snatched his NBA-style pants off in one motion.

— Merlisa Lawrence Corbett, Forbes.com, 7 July 2026
When panting alone cannot shed enough heat, dogs fall back on shade.

— Ryan Brennan, Miami Herald, 2 July 2026

Definition of pant

Noun

The tournament will go on without the USA (or the other two co-hosts, which all went out at the Round of 16 stage), and FIFA can breathe a slight sigh of relief.

— Kevin Dotson, CNN Money, 6 July 2026
Jules Kounde appeared to take another arm to the face late on, while Didier Deschamps, the French coach, repeatedly looked over to the opposition dugout with a sigh.

— Adam Crafton, New York Times, 5 July 2026

Definition of sigh

Noun

But eccentricity is only the visible tip of the vast iceberg of Vibeke’s mental health issues, and soon Karl and Rikke are conferring in low whispers about whether, and when, to slip some ground-up sleeping pills into her drink.

— Jessica Kiang, Variety, 7 July 2026
Students enter the classroom about a minute later, and voices, whispers and laughter can be heard before the recording ends.

— Nicole Buss, Sacbee.com, 7 July 2026

Definition of whisper

Verb

Advertisement Not every variety-show booking delighted every viewer (just ask the stiffs who hyperventilated when Elvis wiggled his hips on Sullivan’s stage), but there was enough, most nights, to captivate tens of millions of them.

— Judy Berman, Time, 22 May 2026
And yes, Gundlach is rightfully hyperventilating about these offenders, but there are some perfectly good payout babies in this bathwater.

— Brett Owens, Forbes.com, 14 May 2026

Definition of hyperventilate

Noun

Loud talking or splashing can disturb other bathers, so just slip into the water and keep your conversations to a murmur.

— Jessica Kozuka, Travel + Leisure, 4 July 2026
As Ghana pushed for an equalizing goal, the cheers of the Colombia faithful reverted to a nervous murmur.

— Christian Marshall, Kansas City Star, 4 July 2026

Definition of murmur

Noun

Up in the stands, fans waved their own flags — including some sneaked in over the objections of FIFA and the courts — and wrestled with emotions, as boos, howls and hisses rained down from all corners of the stadium.

— Rick Maese, Washington Post, 16 June 2026
Spray paint hisses and music envelops Amsterdam Avenue as Knicks colors cover the sidewalk.

— Alaa Elassar, CNN Money, 13 June 2026

Definition of hiss

Browse Nearby Words

gasoliers

gasp

gasped

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“Gasp.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/gasp. Accessed 12 Jul. 2026.

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Synonyms of gasp

verb

noun

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