gape 1 of 2

Definition of gapenext
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
There’s a gaping hole where half of the building once stood, a project held up by lawsuits. Matt Viser, The Atlantic, 2 July 2026 Shaped like Wolverine's head, the bucket features a gaping wide mouth to hold popcorn. Greta Cross, USA Today, 1 July 2026 See All Example Sentences for gape
Recent Examples of Synonyms for gape
Noun
  • The crowd sips matcha dragon fruit cocktails and stares, aghast.
    Dina Cheney, Washington Post, 2 Aug. 2026
  • Their snobbery is juxtaposed with Carney’s friend and colleague Pepper’s unsettling bluntness and eyeball to eyeball stare.
    Leigh Haber, Los Angeles Times, 20 July 2026
Verb
  • There wasn't even money to demolish the building, so the rivers of humanity who once flowed through the grand space were replaced by voyeurs from the world come to gawk at its cavernous shell.
    Condé Nast, Condé Nast Traveler, 30 July 2026
  • Next Big Thing, have become the most talked about — and gawked about — in the run-up to Sunday’s World Cup final, when Messi’s Argentina will play Yamal’s Spain for the biggest trophy in the sport.
    Joseph Wilson, Chicago Tribune, 18 July 2026
Noun
  • As his gaze is drawn back from the stack of bikes, his internal mockery morphs into visible confusion.
    Tom Campbell, New York Times, 1 Aug. 2026
  • The third-year safety followed Maye’s gaze and jumped the pass.
    Andrew Callahan, Boston Herald, 1 Aug. 2026
Noun
  • The stone holds heat uniformly, while handmade İznik ceramic tiles and indirect lighting soothe eyes worn by digital screens.
    Lilian Raji, Forbes.com, 1 Aug. 2026
  • Keep a close eye on conditions and the CBS News Detroit NEXT Weather Team for updates.
    Ahmad Bajjey, CBS News, 1 Aug. 2026

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Cite this Entry

“Gape.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/gape. Accessed 7 Aug. 2026.

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