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

verb (2)

present participle of gape

gaping

4 of 4

adjective

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
Noun
There is a gaping sense of hunger, particularly in a story of a love between two women, one with a crescent moon tattoo on her chest. Nina McLaughlin, BostonGlobe.com, 9 Mar. 2023 Newsom won with 80 percent of the vote in Alameda County in 2018; two years later President Biden and Vice President Harris won the county by an equally gaping margin. Washington Post, 8 Sep. 2021
Verb
Jayne and their team also realized additional implications after studying and extrapolating the scalability ratio between their mouth gapes and cranial structures. Andrew Paul, Popular Science, 24 Oct. 2024 That’s two-thirds of its own mass, and 93% of its maximal gape area. Michael Irving, New Atlas, 1 Nov. 2024
Verb
For one example, when SDSU hosted the San Diego Section baseball playoffs two weeks ago, school officials were seen using zip ties to close gaping holes in the protective netting behind the plate just minutes before Granite Hills and Patrick Henry took the field for the Open Division championship. Kirk Kenney, San Diego Union-Tribune, 18 June 2025 Few contenders have as gaping a hole as the Friars do in left field, and no contenders have a general manager as eager to address weaknesses in season as A.J. Preller. Levi Weaver, New York Times, 17 June 2025 See All Example Sentences for gaping
Recent Examples of Synonyms for gaping
Noun
  • The joy in the kids’ eyes will be a stark contrast to the gut-wrenching stares of less-privileged children on the nightly news.
    Chicago Tribune, Chicago Tribune, 4 July 2025
  • From the front seat, Rihanna turned around and snapped a few photos of the backseat, where Riot gave his mother a sassy stare, and RZA kept his face hidden behind a French workbook.
    Rachel Raposas, People.com, 3 July 2025
Adjective
  • While they’re commonly used in commercial and kitchen settings, utility carts can be used for a wide variety of purposes.
    BestReviews, Chicago Tribune, 30 June 2025
  • In wider terms, she was voted the best midfielder in the division.
    Michael Cox, New York Times, 30 June 2025
Noun
  • As Monday's verdict was read out, Erin didn't drop her gaze from the jury, per The Guardian.
    Becca Longmire, People.com, 7 July 2025
  • While that gaze is no longer popular in mainstream literature, many readers have found Tacos’ writing to be refreshingly honest — to others, needlessly offensive.
    John McDermott, Rolling Stone, 6 July 2025
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
  • The nation has also a yawning fiscal deficit, a trade deficit of $43 billion, plus a daunting $45 billion debt to the International Monetary Fund, with $10.6 billion due to the multilateral and private creditors by April.
    Débora Rey, The Christian Science Monitor, 13 Dec. 2023
Noun
  • Many of you grocery shoppers reading this page are likely rolling your eyes, realizing that your full grocery bill is actually much higher.
    Orlando Sentinel, The Orlando Sentinel, 5 July 2025
  • Images long associated with the birth of the United States ― the date 1776, the Declaration of Independence, George Washington's head and, of course, the American flag ― transformed before viewers' eyes into iconic Milwaukee landmarks like the Hoan Bridge and American Family Field.
    Natalie Eilbert, jsonline.com, 5 July 2025
Adjective
  • Enjoy 360-degree airflow that gently surrounds your neck — no exposed blades, just cool comfort from every angle.
    Toni Sutton, People.com, 28 June 2025
  • In exposed areas, the plants may need some staking.
    Luke Miller, Better Homes & Gardens, 27 June 2025

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Cite this Entry

“Gaping.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/gaping. Accessed 10 Jul. 2025.

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