gape 1 of 2

gape

2 of 2

verb

as in to stare
to look long and hard in wonder or surprise she suddenly realized she had been gaping at the good-looking waiter instead of giving him her order

Synonyms & Similar Words

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 gape
Noun
Many bird species young have this gape so the parents can more easily direct food into their mouths. Sheryl De Vore, Chicago Tribune, 28 May 2025 For instance, that toothy gape up front is corralled by a goatee of nearly 200 digital light whiskers. New Atlas, 24 Apr. 2025
Verb
Our very optimism—our very Dream—has permitted half a century of declining upward mobility and gaping inequality. Alice Lassman, Time, 8 Sep. 2025 Years of low immigration, combined with Japan’s plunging birth rate, have left gaping holes in the workforce as the elderly population swells and the younger population shrinks – pushing the government to seek out more international tourists and migrant workers in recent years. Jessie Yeung, CNN Money, 27 Aug. 2025 See All Example Sentences for gape
Recent Examples of Synonyms for gape
Noun
  • One coyote turned around and showed me its teeth and a death stare.
    Joan Morris, Mercury News, 15 Sep. 2025
  • Coel, the boundary-pushing revelation from I May Destroy You, is a perfect foil, hiding Lori’s feelings behind her deadpan delivery, unblinking sphinx-like stare and wary body language but poised to shoot barbs when the moment calls for them.
    David Rooney, HollywoodReporter, 9 Sep. 2025
Verb
  • But the cringe-comedy antics of the original NBC series landed far better in Season 3 than in Season 1, once audiences began to truly love the characters instead of just gawking at them.
    Kelly Lawler, USA Today, 3 Sep. 2025
  • Some viewers even took to hate-watching the show, tuning in every week just to gawk at the latest episodes’ cringeworthy moments.
    Andrew McGowan, Variety, 17 Aug. 2025
Noun
  • But the truth is, this gentle giant is hoping his gaze will be the thing that finally catches the right family's attention.
    Alice Gibbs, MSNBC Newsweek, 16 Sep. 2025
  • Where And When To Look Step outside after sunset on any clear night this September and turn your gaze toward the north-northwest horizon.
    Jamie Carter, Forbes.com, 16 Sep. 2025
Noun
  • Even news that broke yesterday stateside — while unrelated to the central bank and interest rates — were focused on casting an eye to the future rather than immediate developments.
    Yeo Boon Ping, CNBC, 17 Sep. 2025
  • Keep an eye on October 19 as a possible date for that switch.
    Evan Massey, MSNBC Newsweek, 17 Sep. 2025

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Cite this Entry

“Gape.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/gape. Accessed 20 Sep. 2025.

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