gape 1 of 4

gape

2 of 4

verb (1)

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

gaping

3 of 4

adjective

gaping

4 of 4

verb (2)

present participle of gape

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
In his district, the cafeteria needs repairs even after the emergency replacement of a roof that had a gaping hole in it. Jennifer Smith Richards, ProPublica, 22 Oct. 2025 And a gaping hole over the middle of the field. Luca Evans, Denver Post, 21 Oct. 2025
Adjective
And that is just a gaping fundamental hole with the entire structure. David Pogue, CBS News, 30 June 2024 While fentanyl can easily cause a deadly overdose, the addition of xylazine further slows breathing and can result in painful, gaping and disfiguring wounds on the user's body. Erika Edwards, NBC News, 11 July 2023
Verb
In his district, the cafeteria needs repairs even after the emergency replacement of a roof that had a gaping hole in it. Jennifer Smith Richards, ProPublica, 22 Oct. 2025 And a gaping hole over the middle of the field. Luca Evans, Denver Post, 21 Oct. 2025 See All Example Sentences for gape
Recent Examples of Synonyms for gape
Noun
  • Grant kisses his mother’s cheek at her door while Evelyn locks eyes with Rose, giving her a threatening stare.
    Carly Tagen-Dye, PEOPLE, 4 Nov. 2025
  • Some feminists saw that as presumption, skipping the long price of admission—slights, salaries, stares.
    James Marcus, New Yorker, 3 Nov. 2025
Adjective
  • Young’s early stats would have looked prettier if McMillan was able to haul in a wide open touchdown throw from the third-year QB on the team’s only first-half scoring drive.
    Mike Kaye, Charlotte Observer, 2 Nov. 2025
  • To plant the cutting or purchased plant, choose a pot that’s at least 8 inches deep and about 10 to 12 inches wide to accommodate growth, with plenty of drainage holes to let water escape.
    Karen Brewer Grossman, Southern Living, 2 Nov. 2025
Noun
  • Others slammed it for catering to the male gaze and taking inspiration from Brooke Shields' controversial 1980 denim campaign.
    Skyler Caruso, PEOPLE, 4 Nov. 2025
  • Eyes not on the sides of their heads, and a quick, macular gaze that isn’t like other animals’.
    Literary Hub, Literary Hub, 3 Nov. 2025
Adjective
  • As such, anticipated spending cuts have not materialized and British Chancellor Rachel Reeves is expected to announced tax hikes in her next Autumn Budget to fill a yawning fiscal hole that could be as much as £50 billion ($67.2 billion), although estimates vary.
    Holly Ellyatt, CNBC, 30 Sep. 2025
  • 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
Noun
  • Despite having the same 6-2 record, the selection committee appears to be going off the old eye test instead of valuing head-to-head matchups.
    Jordan Sigler, MSNBC Newsweek, 5 Nov. 2025
  • The extent of the unavoidable seemed to be in the eye of the beholder.
    Literary Hub, Literary Hub, 5 Nov. 2025
Adjective
  • The extensive exposed brick walls, natural wood exposed ceiling beams, and organic decor pieces are just a few details that will keep dinner guests guessing.
    Mary Cornetta, Better Homes & Gardens, 21 Oct. 2025
  • Defenseman Jacob Trouba stopped what seemed like a sure goal with his stick, helping goaltender Jakob Dostal by knocking away a shot headed toward an exposed side of the net.
    Josh Gross, Oc Register, 17 Oct. 2025

Browse Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Gape.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/gape. Accessed 7 Nov. 2025.

More from Merriam-Webster on gape

Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
Love words? Need even more definitions?

Subscribe to America's largest dictionary and get thousands more definitions and advanced search—ad free!