gasp

verb \ ˈgasp \

|Updated on: 5 Jun 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

One then snatches the snake’s head and drags it down from its perch, all while concerned customers can be heard gasping and screaming.

— Fox News, "Bar employees yank snake from ceiling fan in front of screaming patrons," 16 May 2018
With his team gasping for offensive air in the second half, Lue never dusted off Jordan Clarkson, benched for Game 2 after scoring 10 points on 4-of-11 shooting in Game 1.

— christopher l. gasper, BostonGlobe.com, "Celtics making path to NBA Finals a mission possible," 16 May 2018
Vasiliy Lomachenko did more than reveal his heart by rising from the gasping moment of his first pro knockdown to claim his third division belt in his 12th fight.

— lance pugmire, latimes.com, "Vasiliy Lomachenko's new lightweight belt has him on collision course with Mikey Garcia," 14 May 2018
Compared to the overtly traumatic scene in which Aunt Lydia bellows at a gasping June in front of the Wall, this moment is the model of restraint — and so much more effective for it.

— caroline framke, Vox, "The Handmaid’s Tale is as horrific as it’s ever been in “Other Women”," 9 May 2018
But according to Page Six, while outsiders laugh and gasp and roll their eyes at every dramatic incident, the actual people at the event are miserable.

— amanda arnold, The Cut, "Celebrities Apparently Dread the Met Gala," 6 May 2018
The kind of ecological disaster that environmentalists drag dead and gasping seagulls out of.

— matt coyne, Good Housekeeping, "50% of Caring for a Baby Is Crap," 5 Apr. 2018
The second vehicle then struck Cleveland when attempting to exit the area, and Cleveland fell to the nearby curb as onlookers gasped.

— jennifer calfas, Time, "A Sacramento Sheriff's Vehicle Hit a Protester During a Stephon Clark Vigil," 1 Apr. 2018
Aaron ReissThe Kansas City Star The crowd gasped after Missouri's name failed to show up in the 8/9 game that could have set up a second-round matchup with rival Kansas in Wichita.

— alex schiffer, kansascity, "Mizzou returns to NCAA Tournament for first time in five years, to face Florida State | The Kansas City Star," 11 Mar. 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