GASP Synonyms: 57 Similar and Opposite Words

gasp 1 of 2

verb

ˈgasp

Definition of gasp

as in to pant

to breathe hard, quickly, or with difficulty the runner was audibly gasping by the end of the marathon

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gasp

2 of 2

noun

as in sigh

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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 gasp

Verb

However, in the driveway, Hal is gasping for life in the back of Alden’s van. — Erin Qualey, Vulture, 3 Aug. 2026 Why sleep apnea is underdiagnosed in women Women’s symptoms often do not look like the loud snoring and gasping that flag the condition in men. — Hanna Wickes, Charlotte Observer, 3 Aug. 2026

Noun

The future of college athletics may hinge on a last gasp of bipartisan collaboration in the Senate in the dog days of summer. — Burgess Everett, semafor.com, 20 July 2026 Coming after the equally questionable previous entry, however, this feels like a last gasp. — David Fear, Rolling Stone, 10 July 2026 See All Example Sentences for gasp

Recent Examples of Synonyms for gasp

Verb

The delivery person added that none of the canines appeared to have access to food or sufficient water, and that all the animals were panting.

— Moná Thomas, PEOPLE, 3 Aug. 2026
Dogs primarily rely on panting, while cats also groom themselves to help regulate body temperature.

— Lauren Paige Richeson, USA Today, 21 July 2026

Definition of pant

Noun

Furthermore, the collaboration advanced a large-area ammonia compressor, which could bring this whisper-quiet technology closer to commercial use in noise-sensitive environments like hospitals, schools, and homes.

— Mrigakshi Dixit, Interesting Engineering, 6 Aug. 2026
Delicate Japanese simplicity prevails while leaving whispers of the original French palatial style—such as distinctive moldings that are unique to the building.

— Condé Nast, Condé Nast Traveler, 4 Aug. 2026

Definition of whisper

Verb

Advertisement Not every variety-show booking delighted every viewer (just ask the stiffs who hyperventilated when Elvis wiggled his hips on Sullivan’s stage), but there was enough, most nights, to captivate tens of millions of them.

— Judy Berman, Time, 22 May 2026
And yes, Gundlach is rightfully hyperventilating about these offenders, but there are some perfectly good payout babies in this bathwater.

— Brett Owens, Forbes.com, 14 May 2026

Definition of hyperventilate

Noun

Even in hardboiled Hadestown, that would probably get a murmur of assent.

— Chris Willman, Variety, 25 July 2026
For weeks, there have been murmurs in DC about a coming White House move to address the inevitability of powerful, open-source Chinese AI models being used by people and businesses across the globe.

— Reed Albergotti, semafor.com, 15 July 2026

Definition of murmur

Noun

Across 17 tracks, guitar riffs curdle into sheets of distortion, melodies dissolve into electronic hiss, and grooves are chronically interrupted by fresh rhythmic detours.

— Arman Khan, Pitchfork, 4 Aug. 2026
Up in the stands, fans waved their own flags — including some sneaked in over the objections of FIFA and the courts — and wrestled with emotions, as boos, howls and hisses rained down from all corners of the stadium.

— Rick Maese, Washington Post, 16 June 2026

Definition of hiss

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gasoliers

gasp

gasped

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“Gasp.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/gasp. Accessed 12 Aug. 2026.

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Synonyms of gasp

verb

noun

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