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
Many bird species young have this gape so the parents can more easily direct food into their mouths. Sheryl De Vore, Chicago Tribune, 28 May 2025 For instance, that toothy gape up front is corralled by a goatee of nearly 200 digital light whiskers. New Atlas, 24 Apr. 2025
Verb
Centre-back Eric Garcia, dragged wide to cover, left a gaping hole for Mendes to drive through with the ball. Liam Tharme, New York Times, 28 Oct. 2025 And parenting without a mom leaves a gaping hole for many since mothers often provide instrumental support and emotional scaffolding needed in the postpartum period. Beth Ann Mayer, Parents, 23 Oct. 2025 See All Example Sentences for gape
Recent Examples of Synonyms for gape
Noun
  • Salerno claims her team was disqualified from the following meet, and then began to face intimidating stares from the trans athlete at public events.
    Jackson Thompson, FOXNews.com, 8 Jan. 2026
  • But, if dressed in modern attire, this prehistoric relative may not have drawn too many stares on a subway train.
    Katie Hunt, CNN Money, 26 Dec. 2025
Verb
  • They’re presented as endearing surprises of nature and life, celebrated rather than gawked at.
    Lucy Notarantonio, MSNBC Newsweek, 6 Dec. 2025
  • As impressive as massive seven-figure expedition trucks built like heavy-duty mining vehicles are to gawk at and tour at RV shows, many adventurers will ultimately prefer far, far smaller (and cheaper) rigs for actually exploring the wild.
    New Atlas, New Atlas, 14 Nov. 2025
Noun
  • In a city with a constant gaze towards progress, The Milestone seemed like yet another relic left behind.
    Zach Dennis, Charlotte Observer, 8 Jan. 2026
  • Too thick of a mascara coat, and suddenly my gaze droops.
    Conçetta Ciarlo, Vogue, 8 Jan. 2026
Noun
  • Police described Watson as 6-foot-1 and weighing 227 pounds with black hair and brown eyes.
    Rosalio Ahumada, Sacbee.com, 8 Jan. 2026
  • The youngest Alford brother, however, opened some eyes.
    Rick Armstrong, Chicago Tribune, 7 Jan. 2026

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Cite this Entry

“Gape.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/gape. Accessed 10 Jan. 2026.

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