gasp 1 of 2

verb

ˈgasp How to pronounce gasp (audio)
Definition of gaspnext
as in to pant
to breathe hard, quickly, or with difficulty the runner was audibly gasping by the end of the marathon

Synonyms & Similar Words

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gasp

2 of 2

noun

as in sigh

Related Words

Dissimilar Words

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
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 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
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
  1. pant
  2. sigh
  3. heave
  4. whisper
  5. hyperventilate
  6. murmur
  7. gurgle
  8. hiss
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
  • For the first time since COVID threatened theaters with extinction, Hollywood is letting out a huge sigh of relief.
    — Brent Lang, Variety, 15 July 2026
  • Tuesday's report had many on the Street breathing a sigh of relief.
    — Fred Imbert, CNBC, 14 July 2026
Definition of sigh
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
Noun
  • This filing was just the first whisper of redevelopment at the mall in years.
    — Ella Gonzales, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 16 July 2026
  • Among other amateur butterfly afficionados and biologists who were likewise paying attention, a whisper of disquiet was spreading.
    — Literary Hub, Literary Hub, 15 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
  • There are mud pools from Yellowstone National Park that have a squeamish gurgle, and hearing them amid a crackling bonfire feels unexpectedly harmonious, even plausible.
    — Joshua Minsoo Kim, Pitchfork, 28 Apr. 2026
  • Her stomach made an audible gurgle.
    — Douglas Stuart, New Yorker, 12 Apr. 2026
Definition of gurgle
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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Cite this Entry

“Gasp.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/gasp. Accessed 18 Jul. 2026.

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