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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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 extraordinary fireworks barrage is also expected to produce an inordinate amount of smoke, so a low layer of clouds and lack of breeze could leave attendees gasping from the show—but not in the way intended. — Shane Harris, The Atlantic, 3 July 2026 By the time many of these rising talents were accruing debt in graduate writing programs, the dream of a sustainable career in the nonprofit theater had already gasped its last breath. — Theater Critic, Los Angeles Times, 29 June 2026

Noun

The Chamber’s work to prevent right-wing nationalists from winning primaries feels like the last gasp of the country club GOP, before the MAGA movement took over. — David Weigel, semafor.com, 1 July 2026 Ironically, though, her flushed and rosy cheeks were created with two shades of the Beauty Pie Supercheek Cream Blush — one of which was in her iconic color palette, while the other was actually — gasp! — Alyssa Grabinski, PEOPLE, 30 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

Verb

At one point, Nelson appears to snatch the other driver’s sunglasses from his forehead and heave them across the parking lot.

— Sonja Sharp, Los Angeles Times, 10 July 2026
Serena looked down, heaved a sigh and hooked her knee around the pole before mustering up a halfhearted spin.

— Raven Brunner, PEOPLE, 30 June 2026

Definition of heave

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

For weeks, there have been murmurs in DC about a coming White House move to address the inevitability of powerful, open-source Chinese AI models being used by people and businesses across the globe.

— Reed Albergotti, semafor.com, 15 July 2026
Happy murmurs moved through the room whenever the Tour passed a place someone recognised, turning the stage into a shared travelogue.

— Amelie Claydon, New York Times, 15 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

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gasoliers

gasp

gasped

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Style

“Gasp.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/gasp. Accessed 22 Jul. 2026.

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Synonyms of gasp

verb

noun

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