as in stare
a fixed intent look
I told him to stop staring, that his rather stupid gape was annoying
Synonyms & Similar Words
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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
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Recent Examples of gape
Navdeep Singh Dhillon, Parents, 29 July 2025
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
Sara Belcher, PEOPLE, 22 Apr. 2026
The closure also comes as dozens of schools across the Bay Area have announced layoffs, budget cuts or school closures this year in an effort to repair gaping budget deficits ranging from $6 million to over $100 million.
—Jason Green, Mercury News, 22 Apr. 2026
See All Example Sentences for gape
Noun
This summer’s big trip to Greece, for example, was preceded by a two-day escape to Venice, Italy, so the kids could get a quick taste of the tiramisu and squid ink pasta, as well as gape at the stunning canals and Venetian masks.
—Navdeep Singh Dhillon, Parents, 29 July 2025
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
Verb
With a gaping leg wound and an infection creeping in, Peeta paints himself to camouflage into the stream's bed of rocks, where Katniss (Jennifer Lawrence) ultimately finds him.
—Sara Belcher, PEOPLE, 22 Apr. 2026
The closure also comes as dozens of schools across the Bay Area have announced layoffs, budget cuts or school closures this year in an effort to repair gaping budget deficits ranging from $6 million to over $100 million.
—Jason Green, Mercury News, 22 Apr. 2026
See All Example Sentences for gape
Recent Examples of Synonyms for gape
Noun
-
At the office The stare doesn’t stop at the service counter.—
Nick Lichtenberg,
Fortune,
23 Apr. 2026
-
Still as feisty as UConn baseball fans might remember him, the original AK touched 98 MPH and had a stare-down with Jac Caglianone after a hit by pitch.—
Dom Amore,
Hartford Courant,
19 Apr. 2026
Verb
-
Locals complained tourist gawked at them or traipsed through their yards.—
ABC News,
ABC News,
23 Apr. 2026
-
Millions attended these exhibits and then went home to gawk at the vehicles at their local store.—
Jackie Charniga,
USA Today,
15 Apr. 2026
Noun
-
The media company behind such iconic TV characters as Don Draper, Rick Grimes and Walter White wants advertisers to give a stronger gaze at first looks.—
Brian Steinberg,
Variety,
30 Apr. 2026
-
Relax your gaze, Magic Eye style, and move quietly.—
Dewayne Bevil,
The Orlando Sentinel,
29 Apr. 2026
Noun
-
In another, Hurst snapped a picture of a man sleeping rough on a slab of cardboard, one arm shielding his eyes from the sun, and the other pulling up his shirt suggestively.—
Chris Wiley,
New Yorker,
28 Apr. 2026
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In previous years, those sessions leaned heavily on individual development, with an eye toward inevitable roster turnover.—
Hunter Bailey,
Charlotte Observer,
27 Apr. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Gape.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/gape. Accessed 3 May. 2026.
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