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

Gauff and Muchová had the crowd gasping in the thick heat through the tiebreak, which produced some of the most electric shots of what had already been a tense match. — Ava Wallace, New York Times, 9 July 2026 Several people reported that the boy seemed to be gasping for air, police said. — Meredith Deliso, ABC News, 7 July 2026

Noun

Coming after the equally questionable previous entry, however, this feels like a last gasp. — David Fear, Rolling Stone, 10 July 2026 All the most gasp-inspiring moments of visual awe — such as Moana soaring across the sea as a manta ray spirit swims underneath her — are just a little stronger, a little bolder and brighter, in their original art form. — Wilson Chapman, IndieWire, 8 July 2026 See All Example Sentences for gasp

Recent Examples of Synonyms for gasp

Verb

The bear was panting and struggling with the placement of its paws and legs on the pole — which was carrying 7,200-volt wires at 22 feet high.

— Charna Flam, PEOPLE, 25 July 2026
Dogs primarily rely on panting, while cats also groom themselves to help regulate body temperature.

— Lauren Paige Richeson, USA Today, 21 July 2026

Definition of pant

Noun

Furthermore, the collaboration advanced a large-area ammonia compressor, which could bring this whisper-quiet technology closer to commercial use in noise-sensitive environments like hospitals, schools, and homes.

— Mrigakshi Dixit, Interesting Engineering, 6 Aug. 2026
Delicate Japanese simplicity prevails while leaving whispers of the original French palatial style—such as distinctive moldings that are unique to the building.

— Condé Nast, Condé Nast Traveler, 4 Aug. 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

Even in hardboiled Hadestown, that would probably get a murmur of assent.

— Chris Willman, Variety, 25 July 2026
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

Definition of murmur

Noun

Across 17 tracks, guitar riffs curdle into sheets of distortion, melodies dissolve into electronic hiss, and grooves are chronically interrupted by fresh rhythmic detours.

— Arman Khan, Pitchfork, 4 Aug. 2026
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

Definition of hiss

Browse Nearby Words

gasoliers

gasp

gasped

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Style

“Gasp.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/gasp. Accessed 8 Aug. 2026.

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Synonyms of gasp

verb

noun

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