Synonyms of gape

gape 1 of 4

noun

as in stare

a fixed intent look

I told him to stop staring, that his rather stupid gape was annoying

Synonyms & Similar Words

• stare
• gaze
• eye
• scrutiny
• glare
• regard
• attention
• aspect
• glower
• fixation
• observation
• contemplation
• watch
• inspection
• examination
• survey
• study
• surveillance
• observance
• perusal

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

• glance
• sight
• glimpse
• peek
• flash
• peep
• blink
• stime
• ogle
• scan
• browse
• oeillade

gape

2 of 4

verb (1)

ˈgāp 

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

• stare
• gawk
• gaze
• peer
• gawp
• glare
• blink
• rubberneck
• goggle
• gloat
• watch
• glower
• eye
• ogle
• fixate
• leer
• peruse
• observe
• stare down
• consider
• study
• regard
• pore (over)
• outstare
• outface

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

• glimpse
• glance
• scan
• peek
• peep
• browse
• dip (into)
• wink (at)

gaping

3 of 4

adjective

as in wide

Related Words

• wide
• yawning
• exposed
• revealed
• unoccupied
• unlocked
• unsealed
• unlatched
• empty
• unfastened
• vacant
• unbarred
• emptied
• unbuttoned
• unfolded
• unbolted
• unclasped
• unobstructed
• navigable
• unfurled
• unclosed
• cleared
• unclenched
• passable
• unzipped
• open
• unstopped
• enterable
• clear
• unclogged
• free

Dissimilar Words

• closed
• blocked
• shut
• stopped
• clogged
• stuffed
• plugged
• obstructed
• jammed
• uncleared
• impassable
• constricted
• hampered
• cramped
• hindered
• gated
• blockaded
• dammed
• encumbered
• impeded
• barricaded
• trammeled
• interfered (with)

gaping

4 of 4

verb (2)

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

• staring
• gawking
• gazing
• peering
• glaring
• gawping
• goggling
• rubbernecking
• blinking
• glowering
• gloating
• leering
• watching
• fixating
• ogling
• eyeing
• considering
• perusing
• regarding
• observing
• staring down
• studying
• poring (over)
• outstaring
• outfacing

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

• glancing
• peeking
• peeping
• scanning
• dipping (into)
• glimpsing
• browsing
• winking (at)

Example Sentences

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

At Brooks Falls, visitors watch from elevated platforms as the bruins barrel through the shallows in pursuit of silvery fish or stake out prime positions on the lip of the falls, waiting for salmon to vault from the water into their gaping maws. — Bailey Berg, Travel + Leisure, 1 Aug. 2026

As wellness clinics increasingly capitalize on the exploding interest in the chains of amino acids that promise everything from longevity to weight loss, a Washington Post investigation has found gaping holes in the nation’s regulatory system. — Lauren Weber, Washington Post, 24 July 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

And that is just a gaping fundamental hole with the entire structure. — David Pogue, CBS News, 30 June 2024

Verb

As wellness clinics increasingly capitalize on the exploding interest in the chains of amino acids that promise everything from longevity to weight loss, a Washington Post investigation has found gaping holes in the nation’s regulatory system. — Lauren Weber, Washington Post, 24 July 2026

Matt’s full transformation into Clayface — the true towering form with gaping mouth and deep, cavernous eyes — will be saved as a surprise for theaters. — Entertainment Weekly, 21 July 2026