gape 1 of 4

Definition of gapenext

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
Whether that be the trade market or trading up for Ohio State linebacker Sonny Styles in the draft, there will need to be a big move made to lock up that gaping hole. Nick Harris, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 13 Mar. 2026 Peninsula Lively Arts and its subsidiary Peninsula Ballet Theatre are closing after six decades teaching and performing dance in San Mateo County, leaving a gaping hole in the local dance scene. Theater Critic, San Francisco Chronicle, 13 Mar. 2026
Adjective
If the absence of Succession has left a dark and gaping hole in your heart, formerly filled by the epic, desperate machinations of the one-percent: tune in. Vogue, 19 July 2024 And that is just a gaping fundamental hole with the entire structure. David Pogue, CBS News, 30 June 2024
Verb
Whether that be the trade market or trading up for Ohio State linebacker Sonny Styles in the draft, there will need to be a big move made to lock up that gaping hole. Nick Harris, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 13 Mar. 2026 Peninsula Lively Arts and its subsidiary Peninsula Ballet Theatre are closing after six decades teaching and performing dance in San Mateo County, leaving a gaping hole in the local dance scene. Theater Critic, San Francisco Chronicle, 13 Mar. 2026 See All Example Sentences for gape
Recent Examples of Synonyms for gape
Noun
  • Rarely have an actor's eyes been put to such good use, as Murphy's thousand-yard stare communicates guilt, regret, and anxious anticipation of how his life's work will impact the world for generations to come.
    Devan Coggan, Entertainment Weekly, 15 Mar. 2026
  • Musgraves and Hannah Lux Davis co-directed the song’s cheeky video, which is set in a grocery store and is ripe with fruit-touching and wistful stares.
    Travis Pinson, Dallas Morning News, 11 Mar. 2026
Adjective
  • Iran kept up its wave of attacks launched at Israel that have sent millions of people to shelters, with sirens sounding across a wide swath of the north, from Haifa to the Galilee to the border with Lebanon.
    DEMOCRAT-GAZETTE STAFF FROM WIRE REPORTS, Arkansas Online, 20 Mar. 2026
  • Since then, Theroux’s body of work has gained a wider, younger audience who appreciate him as a uniquely empathetic interviewer capable of disarming subjects who others can’t crack.
    Alison Foreman, IndieWire, 19 Mar. 2026
Noun
  • Yet, even with this outward gaze, Omoto maintains its commitment to traditional craftsmanship.
    Jessica Binns, Sourcing Journal, 18 Mar. 2026
  • Grossman succeeds in interrogating the very gaze his film is built upon, yet never fully escapes it, leaving the documentary caught between critique and complicity.
    Murtada Elfadl, Variety, 18 Mar. 2026
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
  • The 2026 Oscars truly saw the stars save their most eye-popping looks for last.
    Anna Cafolla, Vogue, 16 Mar. 2026
  • For the latest on official viewing parties and scheduled activities, keep an eye on San Jose Events and city announcements as dates firm up.
    Allison Palmer, Sacbee.com, 16 Mar. 2026
Adjective
  • Rushing cotton through the system throws up new challenges, leaving brands and retailers more exposed.
    Jasmin Malik Chua, Sourcing Journal, 12 Mar. 2026
  • The objective is to reduce exposed equity within the entity in a lawful and structured manner.
    Ascend Agency, New York Daily News, 11 Mar. 2026

Browse Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Gape.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/gape. Accessed 23 Mar. 2026.

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!

More from Merriam-Webster