AGAPE Synonyms: 26 Similar and Opposite Words

agape

adjective

ə-ˈgāp

Definition of agape

as in watchful

having or showing signs of eagerly awaiting something at the sound of the sleigh bells the children were all agape, waiting for Santa to appear

Synonyms & Similar Words

Relevance

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

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 agape Jokic is not competing against the Timberwolves’ Anthony Edwards — though both will leave mouths agape over the next two weeks. — Troy Renck, Denver Post, 17 Apr. 2026 Passersby pause to take in the beauty of her native plants or offer a compliment, and children, mouths agape and fingers pointing, marvel at the buzzing inhabitants. — Charlotte Observer, 25 Sep. 2025 The first time my son and I drove through Pigeon Forge, our mouths were agape. — Lisa Cericola, Southern Living, 20 Sep. 2025 The 15-strong panel’s mouths were still agape as Quentin took his leave, followed by Clark and Schuler. — Jay Glennie, HollywoodReporter, 19 Sep. 2025 Visitors will find themselves with jaws agape at the striking jagged mountain peaks, looming glaciers, and slick icebergs, all set to the backdrop of moody, misty weather—this is a photographer’s dream adventure. — Stefanie Waldek, AFAR Media, 12 Sep. 2025 In that light, Superman might not have it so bad after all, with Luthor’s questing jealousy, not to mention the agape disbelief of a cynical humanity, always there to establish the stakes. — Derek Robertson, The Washington Examiner, 8 Aug. 2025

Recent Examples of Synonyms for agape

Adjective

Erik Per Sullivan stars as Miles, the watchful 10-year-old son of photographer George (Jack Webster) and therapist Kim (Patricia Clarkson), whose life is irrevocably altered in the course of a snowbound upstate vacation.

— Ryan Lattanzio, IndieWire, 15 July 2026
Her husband, one of the top high school baseball coaches in the country, kept a watchful eye.

— Spencer Nusbaum, New York Times, 10 July 2026

Definition of watchful

Adjective

The king had personally invited the players immediately after their elimination from the World Cup, eager to thank them for giving the country one of the most significant achievements in the history of Norwegian soccer.

— Stefania Conrieri, Vanity Fair, 15 July 2026
The retired schoolteacher had ridden at the more than 27,000-acre off-road area numerous times before and was eager to try out her new bike, a gray-and-white Kawasaki KLX 300R dirt bike, according to the outlets.

— Sam Gillette, PEOPLE, 15 July 2026

Definition of eager

Adjective

Laura’s husband lay on the bed as the rival stood next to it, expectant.

— Literary Hub, Literary Hub, 13 July 2026
Portugal has disappointed an expectant nation by losing 1-0 to Lamine Yamal’s Spain on Monday night in the last 16 despite being one of the favorites.

— Tom Sanderson, Forbes.com, 7 July 2026

Definition of expectant

Adjective

China, the world's top crude importer, has not been particularly enthusiastic about purchasing Iranian oil, despite traditionally being the main buyer of the country's energy.

— Justina Lee, CNBC, 6 July 2026
None of these kids sits at the top of the Australian rankings, but behind them is a team of enthusiastic parents who formed a non-profit – Red Dirt Australian Rodeo – to raise money for the trip.

— Hilary Whiteman, CNN Money, 5 July 2026

Definition of enthusiastic

Adjective

Donaldson, the rookie from UM, flashes creativity and anticipatory skills as a passer.

— Barry Jackson, Miami Herald, 17 July 2026
Bloody conflicts over territory, mates, and more are common in social animals, and several species have their own anticipatory behaviors to prepare when a fight looks imminent.

— Laura Baisas, Popular Science, 16 July 2026

Definition of anticipatory

Adjective

The reader’s dilemma is not so different from the writer who now navigates a community agog with a game of Find the Imposter, where everyone is both player and umpire.

— Literary Hub, Literary Hub, 22 May 2026
Then finish with the shaggy, colossal coconut gelato sundae or a little demon of a coffee cake, fondant eyes agog.

— Ligaya Mishan, New York Times, 11 May 2026

Definition of agog

Browse Nearby Words

against

agape

age

See all Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

Style

“Agape.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/agape. Accessed 19 Jul. 2026.

Copy Citation

Synonyms of agape

adjective

Example Sentences

Browse Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

More from Merriam-Webster on agape

More from Merriam-Webster

Word of the Day

accentuate

Popular in Grammar & Usage

Merriam-Webster’s Great Big List of Words You Love to Hate

Is that lie 'bald-faced' or 'bold-faced'?

'A' or 'an'? What about before 'h'? An Indefinite Article Guide

Why is '-ed' sometimes pronounced at the end of a word?

Commonly Misspelled Words

Popular in Wordplay

14 Phobias You Probably Haven't Heard Of

It's a Scorcher! Words for the Summer Heat

The Longest Long Words List

Ten Words Ending with a Silent ‘T’

The Words of the Week - Jul 17

Popular

Merriam-Webster’s Great Big List of Words You Love to Hate

14 Phobias You Probably Haven't Heard Of

It's a Scorcher! Words for the Summer Heat

Games & Quizzes