gaping 1 of 2

adjective

Definition of gapingnext
as in wide

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Dissimilar Words

gaping

2 of 2

verb

present participle of gape
as in staring
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 gaping
Adjective
Given that there is no witness to what happened, that leaves a very gaping hole in this investigation. — Hollie Silverman, MSNBC Newsweek, 17 May 2025 And that is just a gaping fundamental hole with the entire structure. — David Pogue, CBS News, 30 June 2024
Verb
Casemiro departed Old Trafford for Inter Miami and Major League Soccer at the end of the 2025/26 season, leaving a gaping hole in the centre of Carrick’s midfield unit. — Graham Ruthven, Forbes.com, 30 June 2026 Its ultra-plunging neckline stretched past her sternum, while a gaping front slit soared above her knees. — Hannah Malach, InStyle, 30 June 2026 See All Example Sentences for gaping
Recent Examples of Synonyms for gaping
  1. wide
  2. staring
  3. yawning
  4. gawking
  5. exposed
  6. gazing
Adjective
  • The fires that devastated Collins are part of a wider wildfire emergency unfolding across Canada, where 889 active fires were spreading as of Thursday night, according to the Canadian Wildland Fire Information System.
    — Alessandra Freitas, CNN Money, 18 July 2026
  • Scotland set up in a 5-4-1 with Ryan Christie and John McGinn timing when to jump from their wide midfield positions to press the centre-backs and trap their build-up play.
    — Jordan Campbell, New York Times, 18 July 2026
Definition of wide
Verb
  • But the differences between this and their dreams were staring them in the face.
    — Jack Pitt-Brooke, New York Times, 19 July 2026
  • Bo grinned, staring at the pale-blue walls of the large classroom.
    — Min Jin Lee, New Yorker, 19 July 2026
Definition of staring
Adjective
  • Yet the shooting also divided the American public in ways that many found disturbing, including a yawning lack of empathy for the victim and even cheering for the shooter.
    — Patrik Jonsson, The Christian Science Monitor, 10 Dec. 2024
  • In Palm Beach County, Ian's yawning reach spun up four tornadoes.
    — Jennifer Borresen, USA Today, 10 Jan. 2023
Definition of yawning
Verb
  • Instead, the skin-frying Friday saw common flow of people going through, gawking at the large screens and a group of sailors allowing some passing by to do pull-ups from a bar.
    — Amethyst Martinez, USA Today, 3 July 2026
  • The walk to the stadium is a mile or so along the Alaskan Way, where restaurants like the Crab Pot are opening up, but everyone is gawking at the street spectacle.
    — Simon Hughes, New York Times, 24 June 2026
Definition of gawking
Adjective
  • Daniel Bertoni, Argentina vs Netherlands, 1978 Two-goal Mario Kempes surges from deep, tries a one-two with Bertoni, only for the latter to get in the way, deny Kempes his hat-trick and score himself past an exposed Jongbloed.
    — Adam Hurrey, New York Times, 17 July 2026
  • An inexpensive, heavy-duty net protects the exposed back sides.
    — Mrigakshi Dixit, Interesting Engineering, 17 July 2026
Definition of exposed
Verb
  • Ambitious, sustainable beach hotel for coral-gazing and jungle immersion in one of the most remote island groups on the planet.
    — Condé Nast, Condé Nast Traveler, 15 July 2026
  • Also free are the Los Angeles Astronomical Society’s occasional free star gazing parties, which include one scheduled for July 17.
    — Paris Barraza, USA Today, 15 July 2026
Definition of gazing

Browse Nearby Words

gapes
gaping
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Cite this Entry

“Gaping.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/gaping. Accessed 21 Jul. 2026.

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More from Merriam-Webster on gaping

Nglish: Translation of gaping for Spanish Speakers

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