gasp 1 of 2

Definition of gaspnext
as in to pant
to breathe hard, quickly, or with difficulty the runner was audibly gasping by the end of the marathon

Synonyms & Similar Words

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gasp

2 of 2

noun

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 gasp
Verb
The former mayor flung back in his seat underneath the player, and the crowd gasped. Amethyst Martinez, USA Today, 9 June 2026 Some specific signs to look for include loud snoring, gasping for air during sleep, or falling asleep while driving or at random times during the day, Brangman added. Allison Forsyth, Health, 9 June 2026
Noun
Some of this is because our instinct as parents is often to make things easier for them, rescue them from their mistakes, and limit their experiences with struggle or (gasp) failure. Alanna Gallo, Parents, 2 June 2026 The Idol was canceled, but maybe the lackluster response to Euphoria’s last gasp could bring it back. Fran Hoepfner, Vulture, 2 June 2026 See All Example Sentences for gasp
Recent Examples of Synonyms for gasp
Verb
  • Dogs primarily regulate heat through panting and small sweat glands in their paw pads, according to the American Kennel Club.
    Sacbee.com, Sacbee.com, 10 June 2026
  • Pet owners spoke reassuringly to their dogs, who panted and pawed their owners, and to their mewing cats.
    Teri Figueroa, San Diego Union-Tribune, 8 June 2026
Noun
  • One already breathing a sigh of relief as he was projected to make it through an uncertain gubernatorial primary for Democrats.
    Kaitlyn Schallhorn, Daily News, 9 June 2026
  • As the offensive tug-of-war continued into the second quarter and New York cut the lead down to three, Brunson finally appeared back on the bench and checked back into the game as Knicks fans breathed a sigh of relief.
    Jacob Lev, CNN Money, 4 June 2026
Verb
  • And so, in the constant tug-of-war between tradition and innovation, the latest design heaves toward history, meeting the future’s infrastructure needs in comfortingly familiar costume.
    Justin Davidson, Curbed, 8 June 2026
  • The 1926 storm was more like a steamroller, heaving its hurricane strength winds across 135 miles, from the Keys to West Palm Beach, for nearly 18 hours.
    Miami Herald Archives, Miami Herald, 3 June 2026
Noun
  • Those whispers turned into roars in the bottom of the fifth inning when PCA sent a screamer down the first-base line and cruised into second for a double.
    Mark Harris OutKick, FOXNews.com, 16 June 2026
  • Supportive leaders use that higher vantage point to warn, way find, and whisper.
    Chip Bell, Forbes.com, 14 June 2026
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
  • She was even famously hospitalized for hyperventilating while watching a Lakers game from home.
    Rachel McRady, PEOPLE, 2 May 2026
Noun
  • Welcome to the start of the 2026 offseason for all intents and purposes, when chatter begins at a murmur before blossoming into a crescendo.
    Roderick Boone, Charlotte Observer, 12 June 2026
  • That absence has allowed for murmurs of doubt to seep in and create a space for a new enclave of rap fans to dismiss his music as generationally specific despite his very real track record and influence over pop culture.
    Steven J. Horowitz, Variety, 31 May 2026
Noun
  • There are mud pools from Yellowstone National Park that have a squeamish gurgle, and hearing them amid a crackling bonfire feels unexpectedly harmonious, even plausible.
    Joshua Minsoo Kim, Pitchfork, 28 Apr. 2026
  • Her stomach made an audible gurgle.
    Douglas Stuart, New Yorker, 12 Apr. 2026
Noun
  • Spray paint hisses and music envelops Amsterdam Avenue as Knicks colors cover the sidewalk.
    Alaa Elassar, CNN Money, 13 June 2026
  • The first seven minutes are a beatless drift of gas-canister hiss, intended to symbolize the sound of a baby emerging into the world.
    Ben Cardew, Pitchfork, 2 May 2026

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Cite this Entry

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

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