as in stare
a fixed intent look
I told him to stop staring, that his rather stupid gape was annoying
Synonyms & Similar Words
Relevance
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
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
Tamim Alnuweiri,
InStyle,
10 Feb. 2026
At times, the actor feels more like a design element, akin to the marble coffins and gape-mouthed friezes of this gothic world.
—
Bilge Ebiri,
Vulture,
30 Aug. 2025
Peter Wehner,
The Atlantic,
10 June 2026
Ventura described the injury as a large, gaping wound that was not survivable.
—
Sergio Candido,
CBS News,
9 June 2026
See All Example Sentences for gape
Noun
Give someone these Santa Maria Novella Melograno Bath Salts, tell them the history, and watch as their mouths gape in surprise.
—
Tamim Alnuweiri,
InStyle,
10 Feb. 2026
At times, the actor feels more like a design element, akin to the marble coffins and gape-mouthed friezes of this gothic world.
—
Bilge Ebiri,
Vulture,
30 Aug. 2025
Verb
There’s a gaping need for a Christianity whose posture toward the world is more irenic and charitable, far less anxious and fear-driven—one that cultivates curiosity, including toward those outside the faith, and fosters a deep longing for knowledge and understanding.
—
Peter Wehner,
The Atlantic,
10 June 2026
Ventura described the injury as a large, gaping wound that was not survivable.
—
Sergio Candido,
CBS News,
9 June 2026
See All Example Sentences for gape
Recent Examples of Synonyms for gape
Noun
-
While Riot gave his mom a sassy stare, RZA kept his face hidden behind a French workbook.
-
Here’s how job seekers can address them A long, silent thousand-yard stare should clear things up.
Verb
-
Instead, the skin-frying Friday saw common flow of people going through, gawking at the large screens and a group of sailors allowing some passing by to do pull-ups from a bar.
-
The walk to the stadium is a mile or so along the Alaskan Way, where restaurants like the Crab Pot are opening up, but everyone is gawking at the street spectacle.
Noun
-
For starters, bright colors inject visibility – not merely for players looking to find each other amid the chaos of a World Cup match, but also for brands looking to draw the gazes of millions of onlooking fans towards their logo.
-
Most focus on the soldiers’ faces, their uniforms, and the solemn gaze directed toward the Wall of Names.
Noun
-
The formula smooths wrinkles, reduces laugh lines, softens dry patches, and perks up the eye area to deliver plumper, firmer skin.
-
The satisfaction comes less from appearance and more from seeing something so distant directly with your own eyes.
Cite this Entry
“Gape.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/gape. Accessed 5 Jul. 2026.
Copy CitationLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
