gasps

NOUN

sharply drawn breath

Synonyms

STRONGEST

exclamation whoop

STRONG

blow ejaculation gulp heave pant puff wheeze

VERB

draw breath in sharply

Synonyms

STRONGEST

choke snort whoop

STRONG

blow convulse gulp heave inhale inspire pant puff respire sniffle wheeze

WEAK

catch one's breath fight for breath

Example Sentences

Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.

While much of today’s advances are less showy, focused on things like energy efficiency and reducing elevator wait-times, some of what the industry is working on may yet produce a few gasps.

From The Wall Street Journal • Apr. 2, 2026

Further along the table, a three-tiered honey cake sits near a wholemeal plum cake with spiced icing, while a Swedish princess cake draws gasps of admiration with its dome of sponge, jam, custard and marzipan.

From BBC • Mar. 28, 2026

It was the first time many had seen the hardware side by side, and, amid audible gasps, their power was unmistakable.

From Los Angeles Times • Mar. 26, 2026

Lee said Choi "did not waver" after a brutal fall that drew audible gasps from the crowd during her first run.

From Barron's • Feb. 13, 2026

Whee, Apa laughs and gasps at the same time.

From "A Step from Heaven" by An Na