as in to stare
to look long and hard in wonder or surprise
tourists in London gawping at royalty
Synonyms & Similar Words
Relevance
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
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 gawp
Italian nonne stirred pots full of sauce with a look of utter boredom and, here and there, Neapolitan ragazzi sat atop their motorini and gawped at the torture.
—
Douglas Stuart, New Yorker, 12 Apr. 2026
Day trips to Amalfi-style Taormina are well-advised for those who have yet to gawp at its clifftop panoramas across the Mediterranean or its film star hotels, as are jaunts to the rambling flea markets and splendidly scruffy trattorias of nearby Catania.
—Rosalyn Wikeley, Condé Nast Traveler, 10 Jan. 2026
And best of luck finding something else to gawp at on one of the Big Four nets.
—Anthony Crupi, Sportico.com, 9 Jan. 2025
Through the Looking Glass The optimal viewing angle for gawping at your spatial creations runs over a 58-degree viewing cone.
—New Atlas, 12 Dec. 2024
For others, gawping at the sheer volume and opulence of Ertegun’s stuff is its own illicit thrill, like rifling through the bedroom drawers of a hostess at a dinner party.
—The Editors, Curbed, 2 Dec. 2024
But earlier iterations of the fashion show were often peppered with inappropriate jokes at the models’ expense, with its in-studio audience being largely made up of gawping men.
—Tara John, CNN, 16 Oct. 2024
Early in the game, you’re given the ability to slow down time, a power-up that doesn’t just lead to inventive platforming across rapidly moving razor-sharp knives but the opportunity to gawp further at the spectacle.
—Lewis Gordon, Vulture, 5 Sep. 2024
Douglas Stuart, New Yorker, 12 Apr. 2026
Day trips to Amalfi-style Taormina are well-advised for those who have yet to gawp at its clifftop panoramas across the Mediterranean or its film star hotels, as are jaunts to the rambling flea markets and splendidly scruffy trattorias of nearby Catania.
—Rosalyn Wikeley, Condé Nast Traveler, 10 Jan. 2026
And best of luck finding something else to gawp at on one of the Big Four nets.
—Anthony Crupi, Sportico.com, 9 Jan. 2025
Through the Looking Glass The optimal viewing angle for gawping at your spatial creations runs over a 58-degree viewing cone.
—New Atlas, 12 Dec. 2024
For others, gawping at the sheer volume and opulence of Ertegun’s stuff is its own illicit thrill, like rifling through the bedroom drawers of a hostess at a dinner party.
—The Editors, Curbed, 2 Dec. 2024
But earlier iterations of the fashion show were often peppered with inappropriate jokes at the models’ expense, with its in-studio audience being largely made up of gawping men.
—Tara John, CNN, 16 Oct. 2024
Early in the game, you’re given the ability to slow down time, a power-up that doesn’t just lead to inventive platforming across rapidly moving razor-sharp knives but the opportunity to gawp further at the spectacle.
—Lewis Gordon, Vulture, 5 Sep. 2024
Recent Examples of Synonyms for gawp
Verb
-
In the fourth quarter with the game on the line, Blair called a loose-ball foul on the Cavs and Atkinson hated the call, but rather than scream or dart toward the official, Atkinson just sort of stood near his bench, staring at Blair and shaking his head.—
Joe Vardon,
New York Times,
11 May 2026
-
Some sit pensively, staring into the distance—one resembles Rodin's The Thinker, his chin gently resting on his hand.—
Mary Holland,
Condé Nast Traveler,
11 May 2026
Verb
-
This seemingly reflexive action of whipping out their phones while gawking and filming isn’t a novel occurrence.—
Voice of the People,
New York Daily News,
4 May 2026
-
There are flashy dunks or goals to gawk at.—
Chris Branch,
New York Times,
28 Apr. 2026
Verb
-
Other communities, such as Malibu, have developed ordinances to reduce glare and artificial light, as has Joshua Tree National Park, a star-gazing haven that is designated an International Dark Sky Park.—
Los Angeles Times,
Los Angeles Times,
8 May 2026
-
Or, if you'd rather be cocooned in greenery than gazing at the Pacific, one of the two treehouse-style suites nestled in the property's garden is a dreamy alternative.—
Condé Nast,
Condé Nast Traveler,
7 May 2026
Cite this Entry
“Gawp.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/gawp. Accessed 16 May. 2026.
Copy CitationLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
