gape 1 of 2

Definition of gapenext

gape

2 of 2

verb

as in to stare
to look long and hard in wonder or surprise she suddenly realized she had been gaping at the good-looking waiter instead of giving him her order

Synonyms & Similar Words

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 gape
Noun
Give someone these Santa Maria Novella Melograno Bath Salts, tell them the history, and watch as their mouths gape in surprise. Tamim Alnuweiri, InStyle, 10 Feb. 2026 At times, the actor feels more like a design element, akin to the marble coffins and gape-mouthed friezes of this gothic world. Bilge Ebiri, Vulture, 30 Aug. 2025
Verb
Caracas bailed out Cuba by sending millions of barrels of oil to fill the gaping economic hole left by the collapse of the Soviet Union, its chief sponsor and political mentor until the early 90s. Carlos Manuel Alvarez, Time, 24 Apr. 2026 The Dolphins enter days two and three of the NFL Draft with 11 more picks, at least three gaping holes and reaffirmation of the universal belief that everything with this franchise isn’t going to be fixed in one draft. Barry Jackson, Miami Herald, 24 Apr. 2026 See All Example Sentences for gape
Recent Examples of Synonyms for gape
Noun
  • Some give him a cold stare, others praise him for pushing back on redistricting.
    Tamara Keith, NPR, 4 May 2026
  • Cornelia Jeglertz maintained her stare, even though there was nothing on it.
    Megan Feringa, New York Times, 1 May 2026
Verb
  • This seemingly reflexive action of whipping out their phones while gawking and filming isn’t a novel occurrence.
    Voice of the People, New York Daily News, 4 May 2026
  • There are flashy dunks or goals to gawk at.
    Chris Branch, New York Times, 28 Apr. 2026
Noun
  • Her head slid down the leather headrest, neck tilting backward for more happiness to escape, clavicle bared to her husband’s confused gaze.
    ‘Pemi Aguda, Literary Hub, 6 May 2026
  • By widening the lens, Clark is able to redirect the book’s gaze from the mother toward a quizzical, sometimes critical, but not unaffectionate portrait of two generations of political activism, with the attendant self-involvement and domestic negligence.
    James Wood, New Yorker, 4 May 2026
Noun
  • In other words, the surface numbers and the eye test are matching the analytics in Chisholm’s case.
    Gary Phillips, New York Daily News, 12 May 2026
  • Another adjustment on set was with his daughter played by Toscano tending to follow his hands as Insolera communicated using sign language, rather than look into his eyes.
    Etan Vlessing, HollywoodReporter, 11 May 2026

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Cite this Entry

“Gape.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/gape. Accessed 13 May. 2026.

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