gasp 1 of 2

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
Inside the ballroom was an audible gasp, with everyone looking around at each other, completely shocked and emotional. Emily Longeretta, Variety, 1 Oct. 2025 Here are the top national parks for witnessing mother nature’s last gasp before winter takes hold—and the best fall adventures in each park. Graham Averill, Outside, 26 Sep. 2025
Noun
Voices gasped, exhaled for a beat, then rose up in screams of horror. Eric Levenson, CNN Money, 12 Sep. 2025 Demerzel gasps, and for once Day isn’t preening in the mirror but bowing his head. Jp Mangalindan, Time, 12 Sep. 2025 See All Example Sentences for gasp
Recent Examples of Synonyms for gasp
Verb
  • The dog was panting and shifting from one foot to the other.
    Literary Hub, Literary Hub, 29 Sep. 2025
  • The city, which is the capital of the Emilia-Romagna region, is rich in porticoes—elegant arcaded structures that line the streets and allow the panting pedestrian, at any point, to flee the sunlight’s blaze and seek shade.
    Anthony Lane, New Yorker, 22 Sep. 2025
Noun
  • There’s a collective sigh of relief in Paris today, and that special glow of satisfaction.
    Rhonda Richford, Footwear News, 8 Oct. 2025
  • Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer said the agreement brings a huge sigh of relief to hostages families.
    Francesca Chambers, USA Today, 8 Oct. 2025
Verb
  • Hurts heaved his Hail Mary attempt a play later.
    Brooks Kubena, New York Times, 6 Oct. 2025
  • Flaming palm fronds heaved back and forth across the frame, and embers streaked the air.
    Dana Goodyear, New Yorker, 22 Sep. 2025
Noun
  • There was nobody around, and the only sound was the whisper of the wind.
    Rosecrans Baldwin, Travel + Leisure, 11 Oct. 2025
  • Castle Hill Inn is said to be haunted by a female ghost, and whispers have been heard and presences have been felt at The Jailhouse Inn, which served its namesake purpose from 1772 to 1986.
    Beth Luberecki, USA Today, 11 Oct. 2025
Verb
  • As her tribe hugged her in victory, Erickson was crying and hyperventilating while former tribemate Joe Hunter was shown looking on in concern.
    Steve Helling, PEOPLE, 24 Sep. 2025
  • The hyperactive plotting runs on hyperventilating prose.
    Book Marks September 11, Literary Hub, 11 Sep. 2025
Noun
  • This siren’s song arises from the murmur of doves on an Arizona stock tank and the rattle of Indiana cornstalks.
    Jim Moore, Outdoor Life, 8 Oct. 2025
  • The murmur of medical machines in London is a far cry from the grinding buzz of Israeli drones in northern Gaza – where his two younger brothers, Muhammad, 14, and Yusuf, 12, are displaced.
    Christina Macfarlane, CNN Money, 26 Sep. 2025
Noun
  • That calmness, however, was soon overtaken by the kitchen, with the hiss of the pans, stir of the pots and sharp calls exchanged between cooks quickly filling the air, along with the sounds of an upbeat Peruvian song playing in the background.
    Evan Moore, Charlotte Observer, 30 Sep. 2025
  • The first meeting resulted in a hiss from Miriam, but after a few days, the two are obsessed.
    Liz O'Connell, MSNBC Newsweek, 15 Sep. 2025
Noun
  • High in the hills near the Myanmar border, Ban Rak Thai greets the morning with the smell of oolong and the soft rustle of tea leaves.
    Lewis Nunn, Forbes.com, 24 Aug. 2025
  • As Denver’s locker room echoes with the empty rustles of equipment staffers, Jahdae Barron lingers.
    Luca Evans, Denver Post, 22 Aug. 2025

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Cite this Entry

“Gasp.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/gasp. Accessed 17 Oct. 2025.

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