I can only gape at such perfection.
Source: tatoeba (547044)
Gape
/ˈɡeɪp/
Synonyms for "gape" (196 found)
Ranked by relevance and common usage.
Closest matches (40)
Strong matches (58)
Related words (98)
gulfgullyhang openhiatusholehollowincisioninletinquireinterrogateintervaljointklooflacunalaying openleaklooklook atlook onmalocchio
Show 64 more words
marvelmoatnose aroundnose around fornose outnotchnullahogleopeningopening uporificeoscitancyoscitateoscitationoutletpandiculationpartpasspassagepassagewaypeerpenetrating lookporequeryquestionquizravinerentriftrimerubberrubberneckrupturescissureseamseekslitslotspacesplitstand aghaststand on tiptoestarestare atstare downstare hardstare openmouthedstomatake inthe gapesthrowing opentrenchuncorkingunstoppingvalleyvoidwadiwant to knowwatchwhammywonderyawyawnyawning
Noun(10 words)
Verb(4 words)
Choosing the right synonym
- Closest matches in this entry: abysm, abyss, aperture, aperture, arroyo.
- Sentence evidence is available for gape, so synonym choice can be checked against real usage rather than a flat word list.
- Ranking signals come from moby, opengloss, derived_reverse, wordnet, and related lexical sources.
Synonym selection checklist
- Match the part of speech before comparing meanings.
- Check whether the synonym changes intensity, formality, or emotional tone.
- Read the replacement inside the full sentence, not just beside "gape".
- Prefer the clearest word over the most unusual word when writing for speed or comprehension.
When not to replace "gape"
Keep "gape" when the sentence already sounds natural, when a synonym would add unintended emphasis, or when readers need the most familiar wording. A synonym should clarify or sharpen the message, not simply make the sentence look more varied.
If two options seem close, choose the one that best matches the audience and purpose of the sentence.
Replacement workflow
1. Preserve meaning
Choose a synonym only if it keeps the core idea of "gape" intact in the sentence you are editing.
2. Tune tone
Check whether the replacement sounds more formal, casual, emotional, technical, or forceful than the original word.
3. Re-read context
Read the full sentence after the swap. Keep the synonym only when the sentence becomes clearer or more precise.
Review note: Synonym lists are ranked with lexical data and reviewed for practical writing value. Use the comparison notes, sentence evidence, and source labels together; a high-ranking synonym can still be wrong when the audience, register, or grammar changes.
Final fit check
After choosing a replacement for "gape", read the sentence once for meaning and once for rhythm. The best synonym should feel natural in the full sentence, not only accurate in a word list.
If the synonym makes the sentence slower, vaguer, or more dramatic than intended, keep "gape" or choose a simpler alternative from the closest-match group.
Related word relations
OpenGloss and ConceptNet supply richer edges like generalizations, collocations, and derivations.
More general
7 entriesMore specific
6 entriesCollocations
8 entriesgaping doorwaygaping expressiongaping holegaping mouthlarge gapopen mouthwide gapewide opening
Inflections
3 entriesDerivations
2 entriesSample sentences
13 total sentences available.
"Please don't gape at me. It's rather rude, y'know."
Source: tatoeba (11535819)
The young dark-haired girl glanced up sharply as her dorm room opened, only to gape in stunned surprise at the person entering. "Whoa! Annie, is that you?" the girl asked, laughing aloud. "Hahaha! Holy shit! I didn’t think I’d be seeing you again! Where've ya been, girl?" Ann sighed inwardly. "It’s... a long story, Helen. Long, convoluted, and utterly crazy. Anyway, I’m just here to pick up my things," she said, glancing around with a frown. "But... it looks like someone already cleared them out."
Source: tatoeba (13556033)
1723, Jonathan Swift, The Journal of a Modern Lady, 1810, Samuel Johnson, The Works of the English Poets, from Chaucer to Cowper, Volume 11, page 467, She stretches, gapes, unglues her eyes, / And asks if it be time to rise;
Source: wiktionary
Showing 4 of 13 available sentences.
Common questions
What are the closest synonyms for "gape"?
Closest matches include abysm, abyss, aperture, aperture, arroyo.
How should I check whether a synonym fits "gape"?
Compare the replacement against real sentence context. This entry includes sample sentences so you can check tone, grammar, and meaning before swapping words.