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.
Many in the audience laughed and applauded, when they should have gasped or moaned.
From Slate ● Sep. 10, 2026
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
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, because the next second, Anise looks at me, and her face turns into such disgust that it’s clearer than ever that she thinks I never should’ve been born.
From "Hurricane Child" by Kheryn Callender
