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
Previous visitors have reported temperature drops, phantom footsteps and the sound of a person gasping for air. — Joseph Hernandez, Kansas City Star, 23 Sep. 2026 Loud persistent snoring, sudden gasping or choking for air, waking with a dry mouth and breathing pauses a partner usually notices first. — Samantha Agate, Charlotte Observer, 23 Sep. 2026
Noun
The score came with 30 seconds to play, giving Torrey Pines (2-1), one last gasp. — John Maffei, San Diego Union-Tribune, 5 Sep. 2026 The last gasp came when Jerry Lewis Cinema closed its doors in 1996, and the Rockaways went without a commercial indoor theater for the next 25 years. — Kat Chen, Condé Nast Traveler, 4 Sep. 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 some of the music, the album artwork also pays homage to the animal world and our interconnectedness—the abstract piece offers a single line drawing that weaves in outlines of a panting dog, screeching cat, stoic bunny, and wise owl.
    — Selena Fragassi, SPIN, 28 Sep. 2026
  • Personality pants The brand to know and love right now is Chan Luu.
    — Bianca Kratky, Glamour, 21 Sep. 2026
Definition of pant
Noun
  • Groups 2 and 3 sigh with relief, knowing there exists a phrase that will help them to explain to acquaintances why their older family member ended up in a care facility.
    — Alicja Turczyk, The Dial, 29 Sep. 2026
  • Céline hit it before letting out a sigh of relief, almost suspended in that moment.
    — Blanche Marcel, Vanity Fair, 20 Sep. 2026
Definition of sigh
Verb
  • The game was sealed with an interception from freshman safety Jayden Jack, as Mater Dei freshman quarterback Paytyn Guess heaved the ball to the end zone with the Monarchs out of timeouts and out of options.
    — Caleb Otte, Los Angeles Times, 3 Oct. 2026
  • In Tampa Bay, the Buccaneers played in their franchise-record ninth consecutive one-score game, but Minnesota (3-0) held on, 23-16, after batting down a desperate Hail Mary heave as time expired.
    — Andrew Greif, NBC news, 28 Sep. 2026
Definition of heave
Noun
  • But these aren’t the delicate whispers of citrus and florals that dominate summer.
    — Helen Carefoot, Flow Space, 28 Sep. 2026
  • Dyson Air Purifier Early Prime Day Deal The Dyson Hushjet is a compact, small-form air purifier that's whisper-quiet but powerful.
    — Cierra Cowan, PC Magazine, 28 Sep. 2026
Definition of whisper
Verb
  • Becerra seems to either be suppressing a cough or hyperventilating at the bit of responding to Hilton’s vaccine vacuousness.
    — Los Angeles Times, Los Angeles Times, 1 Oct. 2026
  • Her husband began hyperventilating beside her and was given a paper bag.
    — Emily Cegielski, Flow Space, 24 Aug. 2026
Definition of hyperventilate
Noun
  • The outcry over data centers — warehouses that contain the hardware for powering artificial intelligence and other technology — was only a faint murmur when McCallister first saw the survey markers.
    — Justin Papp, CNBC, 23 Sep. 2026
  • The following week, Marc saw his primary care physician, who also detected the murmur and referred him to a cardiologist.
    — Toria Sheffield, PEOPLE, 6 Sep. 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
  • There’s a hiss, then steam rises up with nowhere to escape, filling the space.
    — Taylor Eisenhauer, Condé Nast Traveler, 10 Sep. 2026
  • He was shown a yellow card for excessive celebration, which drew loud boos and hisses from the fans.
    — Michelle Kaufman, Miami Herald, 9 Aug. 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 7 Oct. 2026.

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