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.

This is look No. 1 at the photo shoot for this story, and everyone in the room — producers, photo assistants, editors — stop to stare, little gasps mutating into big ones.

From Los Angeles Times • May 7, 2026

There were loud gasps in the packed public gallery as the verdicts were returned.

From BBC • May 1, 2026

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

The captivating and ornate story of the caliphate’s final gasps is recounted by Imran Mulla, a British journalist and commentator on Middle Eastern affairs, in his debut book, “The Indian Caliphate.”

From The Wall Street Journal • Mar. 4, 2026

I reach for the wall, sliding down it onto the floor, my breathing coming in short gasps.

From "Five Feet Apart" by Rachael Lippincott