gasp

verb \ ˈgasp \

|Updated on: 14 Aug 2018

Examples: gasp in a Sentence

Definition of gasp

gasped; gasping; gasps

intransitive verb

1 : to catch the breath convulsively and audibly (as with shock)

2 : to breathe laboriously

transitive verb

: to utter in a gasping manner

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gasp

noun

See gasp defined for English-language learners

See gasp defined for kids

Examples of gasp in a Sentence

Mom gasped in surprise at the sight of my sister's new haircut.
He gasped as he stepped into the icy water.
a dying man gasping for breath
She was gasping for air.

Recent Examples of gasp from the Web

Rothstein performed several tricks that had the audience gasping, and kept it upbeat with jokes, as well as several prizes and awards for audience members.

— steve smith, Courant Community, "Mr. Magic Performs At Library," 3 July 2018
The mom and daughter gasped in disbelief and then both burst into tears at the front desk window, returning home with the money later that day.

— angie leventis lourgos, chicagotribune.com, "Woman who had tax-funded abortion says they 'help people in bad situations,' but critics decry public money for 'immoral act'," 25 June 2018
That means time for family, friends and (gasp) even hobbies.

— lainey seyler, Milwaukee Journal Sentinel, "Milwaukee was named the No. 10 worst city in the U.S. Here's why that's bunk," 13 June 2018
Parents in the Cypress cafeteria audibly gasped after head of school Bob Berk told them Cypress has to raise about $600,000 to balance its budget for the next school year.

— wilborn p. nobles iii, NOLA.com, "Cypress Academy voices concerns over Orleans School Board takeover," 24 May 2018
As onlookers gasped and the Internet threatened to break under the sudden infusion of glee, Fox News' most famous talking head began literally and spiritually tweeting through it.

— jay willis, GQ, "Fox News Was Always Going to Enable Sean Hannity," 18 Apr. 2018
One commuter could be seen looking at his phone and didn't notice the deer, while another woman gasped in disbelief as the deer darted by.

— travis fedschun, Fox News, "Deer wanders into DC Metro station, darts close to train before fleeing," 12 June 2018
Rather than allowing him to react to the humor of the world that existed around him, he was reacted against in a fish-out-of-water fashion that made the character feel trite and gasping for significance in comparison to his comic book counterpart.

— richard newby, The Hollywood Reporter, "The Boundless Potential of Thor," 6 May 2018
Mr Bolton’s brisk approach leaves some analysts gasping.

— The Economist, "North Korea presents nuclear disarmament’s biggest challenge yet," 5 July 2018

These example sentences are selected automatically from various online news sources to reflect current usage of the word 'gasp.' Views expressed in the examples do not represent the opinion of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.

Origin and Etymology of gasp

Middle English; akin to Old Norse geispa to yawn

NEW! Time Traveler

First Known Use: 14th century

in the meaning defined at intransitive sense 1

See Words from the same year

gasp Synonyms

Synonyms

blow, heave, hyperventilate, pant, puff, wheeze;

Related Words

choke, gag, gulp, huff;

asphyxiate, smother, stifle, strangle;

snore, snuffle;

exhale, expire;

Phrases

be out of breath;

GASP Defined for English Language Learners

gasp

verb

Definition of gasp for English Language Learners

: to breathe in suddenly and loudly with your mouth open because of surprise, shock, or pain
: to breathe with difficulty
: to say (something) with quick, difficult breaths