as in pants
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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Example Sentences
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Recent Examples of gasps
Max Goldbart, Deadline, 27 Feb. 2026
Upon announcing her status as a Faithful, the whole room gasps.
—Tom Smyth, Vulture, 9 Jan. 2026
The rest of the gang rushes inside to be at Eleven’s side and save the children who are trapped inside on the Pain Tree, while Vecna burbles and gasps for air.
—Yohana Desta, Rolling Stone, 4 Jan. 2026
The clashes drew bursts of laughter and, sometimes, gasps, from the show's studio audience and from home viewers.
—Dennis Romero, NBC news, 15 Dec. 2025
In the first photo, Woodruff gasps in surprise and covers her mouth with her hand as Lawley holds her other hand while on bended knee.
—Ashlyn Robinette, PEOPLE, 24 Nov. 2025
Demerzel gasps, and for once Day isn’t preening in the mirror but bowing his head.
—Jp Mangalindan, Time, 12 Sep. 2025
Verb
Deadline journalists sat towards the back of the room said the N-word and other slurs were audible, as were gasps when Davidson made his involuntary tics.
—Max Goldbart, Deadline, 27 Feb. 2026
Upon announcing her status as a Faithful, the whole room gasps.
—Tom Smyth, Vulture, 9 Jan. 2026
The rest of the gang rushes inside to be at Eleven’s side and save the children who are trapped inside on the Pain Tree, while Vecna burbles and gasps for air.
—Yohana Desta, Rolling Stone, 4 Jan. 2026
The clashes drew bursts of laughter and, sometimes, gasps, from the show's studio audience and from home viewers.
—Dennis Romero, NBC news, 15 Dec. 2025
In the first photo, Woodruff gasps in surprise and covers her mouth with her hand as Lawley holds her other hand while on bended knee.
—Ashlyn Robinette, PEOPLE, 24 Nov. 2025
Demerzel gasps, and for once Day isn’t preening in the mirror but bowing his head.
—Jp Mangalindan, Time, 12 Sep. 2025
Recent Examples of Synonyms for gasps
Verb
-
Good opposing coaches pants him every time (Loyola, of course, being a particularly painful example).—
Paul Sullivan,
Chicago Tribune,
15 Mar. 2026
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On a recent Friday, Bernhardt dressed up, with a cashmere sweater, a pair of baggy, Free People pants, and a pair of Ugg boots.—
Emily M. Olson,
Hartford Courant,
12 Feb. 2026
Verb
-
If the plane heaves up, the spoilers can press it back down.—
Burkhard Bilger,
New Yorker,
2 Mar. 2026
-
Cover Exposed Roots Sometimes heavy ice and snow heaves newer plants out of the ground.—
Brandee Gruener,
Southern Living,
4 Feb. 2026
Noun
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This chilling, starkly beautiful ambient piece draws Nebraska’s marginal whispers to the forefront and smears them across the picture plane.—
Sasha Geffen,
Pitchfork,
10 Mar. 2026
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Jessica Alba's beau just quietly debunked whispers that the actress is secretly dating an NFL star.—
Shania Russell,
Entertainment Weekly,
9 Mar. 2026
Noun
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There were plenty of rumors, plenty of murmurs, plenty of whispers surrounding the Florida Panthers entering the NHL trade deadline.—
Jordan McPherson,
Miami Herald,
7 Mar. 2026
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That was reflected on the ice for much of his first season, too, when the murmurs were many.—
Andrew Knoll,
Oc Register,
8 Feb. 2026
Noun
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Clearing right-of-way strips can result in the loss of trees and native vegetation; crackles, hisses and humming can be heard nearby especially during periods of high humidity; and farm fields and animal habitat can be affected by construction activities.—
Madeline Heim,
jsonline.com,
12 Dec. 2025
Noun
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The moans announced the doubt throughout Riviera’s 18th green amphitheater, a bowl full of thousands of fans unsure if the new guy could do it.—
Brody Miller,
New York Times,
23 Feb. 2026
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At the moment that B’Tselem says Hathaleen collapsed, the visuals are jostled but moans of pain can be heard.—
Sam Metz,
Los Angeles Times,
16 Feb. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Gasps.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/gasps. Accessed 23 Mar. 2026.
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