gasps
Sudden sharp breaths
Gasps is the plural of gasp—a sudden, sharp intake of breath, typically from shock, surprise, or exertion: The audience let out gasps when the magician disappeared.
As a verb form, gasps describes this breathing: She gasps for air after running.
To be at one's last gasps is to be near death or exhaustion.
Intense sudden wonder
- shockViolent sudden disturbance
- amazementOverwhelming surprise and wonder
- disbeliefRejection of truth claims
- stunnedShocked into speechlessness
startled · speechless · awe · incredulity · bewilderment · dumbfounded · aghast · astounded
Extreme, overwhelming fear
- horrorExtreme fear or disgust
- panicUncontrollable sudden fear
- dreadIntense anticipatory fear
- frightSudden intense fear
alarm · shock · anxiety · trepidation · scream · tremble · startle · apprehension
Rapid labored breathing
- breathlessLacking air, gasping
- windedShort of breath
- laboredRequiring great exertion
- heavingMoving up and down
huffing · catching breath · out of breath · ragged breathing · exhaustion · fatigue · strain · cardio
Labored respiration condition
- asthmaChronic lung inflammation
- hyperventilationAbnormally rapid respiration
- apneaTemporary cessation of respiration
- wheezeWhistling labored breath
choking · suffocation · airway · respiratory · bronchospasm · trachea · oxygen · labored breathing
Gathered viewers collectively
- theaterVenue for live drama
- cliffhangerSuspenseful unresolved ending
- tensionStretched or strained state
- suspenseAnxious uncertainty about outcomes
reveal · twist · climax · dramatic pause · auditorium · performance · stage · melodrama
astonishment
Intense sudden wonder
- shockViolent sudden disturbance
- amazementOverwhelming surprise and wonder
- disbeliefRejection of truth claims
stunned · startled · speechless · awe · incredulity · bewilderment · dumbfounded · aghast · astounded · thunderstruck
terror
Extreme, overwhelming fear
fright · alarm · shock · anxiety · trepidation · scream · tremble · startle · apprehension · chill
panting
Rapid labored breathing
- breathlessLacking air, gasping
- windedShort of breath
- laboredRequiring great exertion
heaving · huffing · catching breath · out of breath · ragged breathing · exhaustion · fatigue · strain · cardio · running
dyspnea
Labored respiration condition
- asthmaChronic lung inflammation
- hyperventilationAbnormally rapid respiration
- apneaTemporary cessation of respiration
wheeze · choking · suffocation · airway · respiratory · bronchospasm · trachea · oxygen · labored breathing · shortness of breath
audience
Gathered viewers collectively
- theaterVenue for live drama
- cliffhangerSuspenseful unresolved ending
- tensionStretched or strained state
suspense · reveal · twist · climax · dramatic pause · auditorium · performance · stage · melodrama · soap opera
- breathing actionsinhales, deep breath, shallow breath, takes a breath
- outcriescries, screams, shouts, yells, howls
- stadium soundscheering, booing, chanting, clapping, applause
- group responsesconsensus, unanimous vote, group decision, chorus, unison
- receptionacclaim, applause, backlash, buzz, criticism
- audience reactionsapplause, clapping, booing, cheering, laughter
- last gaspFinal desperate attempt
- gasping for air
- dying gaspFinal breath before expiring