gasp
noun
a sudden, short intake of breath, as in shock or surprise.
gasped
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past participleof gasp.past participle
A verb form used in perfect and passive verb constructions and that can also function as a modifier.
-
past tense formof gasp.past tense
Used to describe completed actions or previous habitual actions.
gaspnouna sudden, short intake of breath, as in shock or surprise.
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.
SINGAPORE—The crowd gasped as the brokers swung the wooden mallets on the lid of the sake barrel, cracking it open in celebration.
From The Wall Street Journal ● Sep. 17, 2026
Many in the audience laughed and applauded, when they should have gasped or moaned.
From Slate ● Sep. 10, 2026
I caught the film at a recent matinee in New Orleans, and children and adults alike gasped at Harryhausen’s movie monsters – from the looming metal colossus of Telos to the hissing and slithering Hydra.
From Salon ● Sep. 4, 2026
Oasis star Noel Gallagher and boxing legend Prince Naseem Hamed were among those watching as the crowd gasped at almost every Itauma punch, whether it landed or not.
From BBC ● Aug. 29, 2026
Mrs. Clarke gasped, but Penelope was no longer the least bit afraid.
From "The Long-Lost Home" by Maryrose Wood
