Word: Gasping

Pronunciation

/ɡæsp/

Definitions

• Noun: A sudden intake of breath, especially when one is surprised, shocked, or experiencing physical exertion. For example: “A gasp escaped his lips when he heard the news.”
• Verb: (intransitive) To breathe suddenly and audibly due to shock, fear, or lack of air. For instance: “She gasped when she saw the snake.”
  • (transitive) To grasp or seize with a sudden effort, often metaphorically. E.g., “He gasped at the opportunity to travel abroad.”

Examples

• Noun: “The audience let out a collective gasp at the climax of the movie.”
• Verb: “Upon hearing the terrible news, she gasped for air, her hands flying to her mouth.”

Phrases

• “Gasp for breath”: Describes the act of struggling to breathe, often due to exhaustion or suffocation.
• “A sight that leaves one gasping”: Refers to something so surprising or stunning that it causes a strong emotional reaction.

Example Sentences

• Noun: “His final, desperate gasp marked the end of his struggle.”
• Verb: “When he reached the summit after a grueling climb, he was gasping for oxygen.”

Synonyms

• Sigh
• Inhalation
• Wheeze
• Catch one’s breath
• Snatch (as in ‘snatch a breath’)
• Seize (in the sense of seizing an opportunity)
• Recoil (emotionally)