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
At a time when the ever-widening wealth gap in Los Angeles feels like a gaping hole, the pub’s name, an homage to the English folklore hero-outlaw, feels especially fitting. Jenn Harris, Los Angeles Times, 4 May 2026 Corner Colton Hood’s selection in the second round, for example, attacked a gaping hole in the roster that Banks’ regression created. Pat Leonard, New York Daily News, 4 May 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
At a time when the ever-widening wealth gap in Los Angeles feels like a gaping hole, the pub’s name, an homage to the English folklore hero-outlaw, feels especially fitting. Jenn Harris, Los Angeles Times, 4 May 2026 Corner Colton Hood’s selection in the second round, for example, attacked a gaping hole in the roster that Banks’ regression created. Pat Leonard, New York Daily News, 4 May 2026 See All Example Sentences for gape
Recent Examples of Synonyms for gape
Noun
  • That mugshot—with her straight dark hair, motorcycle jacket, and flat, defiant stare—would come to represent a nation, and generation, in crisis; a startling declaration that America’s own sons and daughters had turned violently against their country.
    Literary Hub, Literary Hub, 19 May 2026
  • Encouraged out to a party one night by his gregarious best friend (Shanti Masud), David accepts a pill from a stranger and, almost immediately afterwards, notices a young woman (Seydoux) across the room who is fixing him with a faintly predatory stare.
    Jessica Kiang, Variety, 18 May 2026
Verb
  • This seemingly reflexive action of whipping out their phones while gawking and filming isn’t a novel occurrence.
    Voice of the People, New York Daily News, 4 May 2026
  • There are flashy dunks or goals to gawk at.
    Chris Branch, New York Times, 28 Apr. 2026
Adjective
  • Elijah, however, didn’t account for his wide stance.
    Ryan Gaydos, FOXNews.com, 15 May 2026
  • The company called for tighter export controls, stronger protections against technology theft, and wider adoption of American AI systems across allied markets.
    Aamir Khollam, Interesting Engineering, 14 May 2026
Verb
  • His hands were at ten and two, his face fixed, staring straight ahead.
    Weike Wang, New Yorker, 17 May 2026
  • According to the Mayo Clinic, symptoms of seizures can include short-term confusion, staring spells, stiff muscles and jerking movements of the arms and legs.
    Jordan Greene, PEOPLE, 15 May 2026
Noun
  • Remus graced the cover of Time magazine with a smoldering gaze.
    Alex Morris, Rolling Stone, 19 May 2026
  • Bill Russell bought Slade’s Barbecue in your gaze, And Walter Benjamin bought paper and shirts.
    Robert Pinsky, New Yorker, 18 May 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
Verb
  • This seemingly reflexive action of whipping out their phones while gawking and filming isn’t a novel occurrence.
    Voice of the People, New York Daily News, 4 May 2026
  • Those are important characteristics for advertisers seeking to make dynamic campaigns for an audience that's grown accustomed to viewing short-form videos on Reels or gawking at cat photos on Facebook and Instagram.
    Jonathan Vanian, CNBC, 9 Apr. 2026
Noun
  • The Real Housewives of Beverly Hills alum wore her hair slicked back in a low bun, dark black eyeliner to bring out her eyes, and a light pink lip.
    Ingrid Vasquez, PEOPLE, 19 May 2026
  • Also, beauty is in the eye of the beholder.
    Literary Hub, Literary Hub, 19 May 2026

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Cite this Entry

“Gape.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/gape. Accessed 22 May. 2026.

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