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
At a time when the ever-widening wealth gap in Los Angeles feels like a gaping hole, the pub’s name, an homage to the English folklore hero-outlaw, feels especially fitting. Jenn Harris, Los Angeles Times, 4 May 2026 Corner Colton Hood’s selection in the second round, for example, attacked a gaping hole in the roster that Banks’ regression created. Pat Leonard, New York Daily News, 4 May 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
  • From this moment on, the film never gets out of his adoring gaze and into something deeper and more real.
    Marya E. Gates, IndieWire, 13 May 2026
  • Pierre Salvadori has a very humanistic gaze.
    Scott Roxborough, HollywoodReporter, 12 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 16 May. 2026.

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