gasp 1 of 2

verb

ˈgasp How to pronounce gasp (audio)
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

as in sigh

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Dissimilar Words

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 defense struggled a bit in the first half with the reserves on the field even after producing a second-quarter interception, and the offense also gasped and wheezed with the reserves on the field. — Chris Perkins, Sun Sentinel, 15 Aug. 2026 Police say Coffer was pulled to safety by his boat partner, who told police Simpson fled the scene and the boy was gasping for air. — ABC News, 7 Aug. 2026
Noun
This slip skirt is crafted in lustrous mulberry silk that’s — gasp! — Jamie Allison Sanders, PEOPLE, 29 Aug. 2026 When Anne brings down her slate, full force, on Gilbert Blythe’s head, the students in the schoolhouse gasp. — Literary Hub, 26 Aug. 2026 See All Example Sentences for gasp
Recent Examples of Synonyms for gasp
  1. pant
  2. sigh
  3. heave
  4. whisper
  5. hyperventilate
  6. murmur
  7. gurgle
  8. hiss
Verb
  • The Row Frima pants $3,150 Track Star The track jacket is my fall answer to fashion’s (and my personal) ongoing love affair with sport—styled with a touch of Saint Laurent and Celine polish for everyday or taken full pro athlete à la Balenciaga.
    — Minty Mellon, Vogue, 24 Aug. 2026
  • 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
Definition of pant
Noun
  • When presented with this question, Christner lets out a sigh.
    — Jonathan Jones, New York Times, 8 Sep. 2026
  • Once the good news was delivered in the Huskies’ locker room last week, there was a collective sigh of relief from the group knowing that their teammate was wronged and it was made right.
    — Joe Arruda, Hartford Courant, 7 Sep. 2026
Definition of sigh
Verb
  • On the final play of the game, Underwood found space and gave his receivers time to get downfield before heaving a bomb that ended up sailing just out the back of the end zone.
    — Matt Reigle OutKick, FOXNews.com, 6 Sep. 2026
  • Underwood heaved another throw, and Buchanan leaped to snag it and came down with it in the end zone.
    — Larry Lage, Chicago Tribune, 6 Sep. 2026
Definition of heave
Noun
  • Moore begins with a whisper and builds to a roar as Mona improvises a manic rant that involves rats and the plague.
    — Glenn Whipp, Los Angeles Times, 7 Sep. 2026
  • Engineered around Qualcomm’s flagship 12-core Snapdragon X Elite processor, this Surface laptop delivers exceptional processing speed with whisper-quiet thermal efficiency.
    — Juhi Wadia, PC Magazine, 6 Sep. 2026
Definition of whisper
Verb
  • Her husband began hyperventilating beside her and was given a paper bag.
    — Emily Cegielski, Flow Space, 24 Aug. 2026
  • News that Nikki Finke had left behind a memoir — and that her estate was seeking a publisher — had half of Hollywood hyperventilating into their Erewhon shopping bags last week.
    — Benjamin Svetkey, HollywoodReporter, 12 Aug. 2026
Definition of hyperventilate
Noun
  • So even as the national debt recently passed the $40 trillion landmark, there was barely a murmur coming from the party of fiscal responsibility.
    — David Goldman, CNN Money, 3 Sep. 2026
  • In these murmurs, Ullom wonders how much modern technology has led us astray.
    — Amy Nicholson, Los Angeles Times, 19 Aug. 2026
Definition of murmur
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
Definition of gurgle
Noun
  • There’s a hiss, then steam rises up with nowhere to escape, filling the space.
    — Taylor Eisenhauer, Condé Nast Traveler, 10 Sep. 2026
  • He was shown a yellow card for excessive celebration, which drew loud boos and hisses from the fans.
    — Michelle Kaufman, Miami Herald, 9 Aug. 2026
Definition of hiss

Browse Nearby Words

gasoliers
gasp
gasped
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Cite this Entry

“Gasp.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/gasp. Accessed 11 Sep. 2026.

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