gasped; gasping; gasps
1
: to catch the breath convulsively and audibly (as with shock)
2
: to breathe laboriously
: to utter in a gasping manner
plural gasps
: an act of gasping : a sudden loud intake of breath with one's mouth because of surprise, shock, pain, etc.
He let out an audible gasp at the sight of the snake.
a gasp of surprise
His eyes looked wild and strange from the fever; he trembled continuously, and each breath he took sounded like a gasp for life.—
Robert C. O'Brien
Robert C. O'BrienIn the next hour Lemieux drew gasps from the crowd half a dozen more times …—E. M. Swift
E. M. SwiftExamples of gasp in a Sentence
Verb
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 on the Web
Michelle Rostamian, People.com, 26 June 2025
Still gasping for air, Saldivar was returned to her cell in a wheelchair, her head tipped back over the seat.
—Nathan Pilling, Kansas City Star, 26 June 2025
Liza Esquibias, People.com, 23 June 2025
Now, apparently, there are gasps when the 2,280 seated in the Palladium catch sight of the masses gathered outside.
—Baz Bamigboye, Deadline, 20 June 2025
See All Example Sentences for gasp
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Verb
The best shapewear provides support, feels comfortable, and stays in place without leaving you gasping for air by lunchtime.
—Michelle Rostamian, People.com, 26 June 2025
Still gasping for air, Saldivar was returned to her cell in a wheelchair, her head tipped back over the seat.
—Nathan Pilling, Kansas City Star, 26 June 2025
Noun
Cynthia Bailey, who has known Porsha for over 13 years, let out an audible gasp as Shamea began to sob in Phaedra's arms.
—Liza Esquibias, People.com, 23 June 2025
Now, apparently, there are gasps when the 2,280 seated in the Palladium catch sight of the masses gathered outside.
—Baz Bamigboye, Deadline, 20 June 2025
See All Example Sentences for gasp
Cite this Entry
“Gasp.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/gasp. Accessed 8 Jul. 2025.
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