gasp
noun
a sudden, short intake of breath, as in shock or surprise.
have gasped
-
present perfectof gasp.present perfect
Used to describe actions that started in the past and continue into or have direct relevance to the present.
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.
But she says that if anyone had described the scale of death and disruption to come, “I probably would have gasped at the thought of it.”
From Washington Times ● Feb. 12, 2021
Oprah’s audience may have gasped and shaken their heads, he says, but the host’s talent of dispensing subtle absolution likely would have left the sense of Neeson’s story as a powerful cultural learning.
From Salon ● Feb. 21, 2019
Kim must have gasped at the good fortune he’d fallen into.
From Slate ● Sep. 5, 2017
Some pundits have gasped at what they imagine to be the film's tough, hard-hitting satire at the expense of big pharma.
From The Guardian ● Dec. 23, 2010
I must have gasped at the iciness, because Rosaleen looked up and seeing me come naked through the water, started to laugh.
From "The Secret Life of Bees" by Sue Monk Kidd
