to gape

Examples

• All

• Did you see the crowds gaping on the sidewalk?

  Mannequin (1987)

• All he could do was push himself to his feet and stand there gaping at the two dragons.

  Fiction book (1992)

• - What are you all gaping at?

  Christmas in the City (2013)

• What are you all gaping at?

  White Heat (1949)

• What are you gaping at?

  Topper (1937)

• The spell was broken; the boy gaped at her another moment and then released her, turned, and ran.

  Fiction book (1991)

• One of your fellow Americans needs help, and you stand there gaping.

  His Kind of Woman (1951)

• His mother gaped at him, her face going first red with embarrassment, then white with fear.

  Fiction book (1992)

• For a moment, she gaped in disbelief, dancing from foot to foot.

  Fiction book (1992)

• Young children trooped about me, gaping up at Skava and asking me all about her.

  Fiction book (1993)

Synonyms

G

to gaze

vsto gape

170 2.6

To look steadily with admiration, surprise, or deep thought

is more sudden open mouth surprise rather than calm, steady looking

G

to gawk

vsto gape

• Informal

27 6.1

To stare openly at a person or thing because you feel surprised

is more about a visible open mouth of surprise than awkward staring

G

to gawk at

vsto gape

• Informal

12 6.3

To stare openly in a rude or surprised way

is similar but highlights an open mouth expression rather than mere staring

G

to goggle

vsto gape

2 6.1

To look with eyes wide open because you are surprised

is similar in surprise but focuses on mouth opening rather than eye widening

G

to gawp

vsto gape

• UK

2 9.1

To stare openly and rudely because you are surprised or curious

is the same surprised looking but specifically with the mouth open

G

to gaw

vsto gape

• Archaic

1 9.9

To stare openly because you are surprised or curious

is the standard, non-dialect term for an open mouth look of surprise

D

to drop one's jaw

vsto gape

• Informal

4.4

Open your mouth wide in surprise

is the general act of looking with an open mouth rather than a set phrase

S

to stand to gawk

vsto gape

• Informal

6.4

To stand still and stare with your mouth open in surprise

is the same open mouth look but not limited to standing while doing it

C

to couldn't help but gawk

vsto gape

• Informal

8.2

To be unable to stop yourself from staring in a rude or amazed way

is similar but describes an open mouth reaction rather than just involuntary staring

Antonyms

I

to ignore

∞ 1.0

Choose not to pay attention to someone or something

D

to dismiss

332 3.0

To refuse to accept an idea or claim

How Amazed

to gape

14 3.8

to gawk

• Informal

27 6.1

to stare

∞ 1.0

to glance

299 1.5

Surface Forms

Etymology