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
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
Ventura described the injury as a large, gaping wound that was not survivable. Sergio Candido, CBS News, 9 June 2026 The reality of having a curvy body type is that gaping is really hard to avoid when shopping for jeans. Essence Wiley, InStyle, 3 June 2026
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 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
Verb
The reality of having a curvy body type is that gaping is really hard to avoid when shopping for jeans. Essence Wiley, InStyle, 3 June 2026 This year, dozens of Bay Area school districts have announced layoffs, budget cuts or school closures in an effort to repair gaping budget deficits ranging from $6 million to over $100 million. Molly Gibbs, Mercury News, 26 May 2026 See All Example Sentences for gape
Recent Examples of Synonyms for gape
Noun
  • In the top of the 7th, Dodgers pitcher Zack Greinke hits the first batter, Miguel Montero, in the back, prompting both benches to empty, although only stares are exchanged.
    Assistant Sports Editor, Los Angeles Times, 11 June 2026
  • The beloved Jack Russell Terrier, known for his hard stare, often played the straight dog to the neurotic Frasier (Kelsey Grammer) and Niles (David Hyde).
    Camille Perri, PEOPLE, 10 June 2026
Verb
  • Shoppers are gawking at their climbing receipts as food costs continue to climb.
    Emma Burleigh, Fortune, 8 June 2026
  • Still, fans will get a chance to gawk at the arms of José Canseco, who turns 62 nine days before the derby.
    Jon Greenberg, New York Times, 1 June 2026
Noun
  • In another, a Pullman maid is bent over, hard at work, with her hair swept back into a ponytail, her gaze pointed downward and focused on the task at hand.
    Nina Metz, Chicago Tribune, 17 June 2026
  • The webcams assessed user breaks, eye gaze and blinking, and delivered personalized reminders based on the 20-20-20 rule.
    Samantha Agate, Sacbee.com, 15 June 2026
Noun
  • Meanwhile, the day-shifters all abruptly acquire eye-black face paint for some unexplained reason.
    Tasha Robinson, Vulture, 16 June 2026
  • Unlike standard eye drops that get washed away by tears within minutes, living eye drops use bacteria that colonize the eye and continuously release therapeutic proteins after a single application.
    Samantha Agate, Kansas City Star, 16 June 2026

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Cite this Entry

“Gape.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/gape. Accessed 19 Jun. 2026.

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