Gulped is the past tense of gulp, meaning to swallow hastily or in large mouthfuls: She gulped her coffee and ran out the door.
It often suggests nervousness or strong emotion: He gulped when he saw the bill.
The word captures both the physical action and the involuntary throat movement that accompanies anxiety or dread.
1. hasty — swallowed, Passed through throat; chugged (Drank in gulps); guzzled (Drank quickly, eagerly); swigged (Drank in gulps); downed · bolted · scarfed · wolfed · inhaled · slurped · quaffed · devoured · slugged · knocked back
2. thirsty — chugged, Drank in gulps; guzzled (Drank quickly, eagerly); quenched (Satisfied a craving); swigged (Drank in gulps); downed · slaked · rehydrated · refreshed · quaffed · slugged · hydrated · drained · finished · emptied
3. nervous — gasped, Breathed in sharply; choked (Had airway blocked); stammered (Spoke with involuntary repetitions); faltered (Lost momentum or confidence); blanched · trembled · shuddered · stuttered
Opposites
SPEED/MANNER OF CONSUMPTIONgulped ≠ sipped Drank in small quantities; savored · nibbled · nursed · tasted · sampled
DIRECTION OF SWALLOWING (METAPHORICAL)gulped ≠ spat out Forcibly ejected orally; spit up · expelled · regurgitated · ejected · disgorged
BREATH/AIR ACTIONgulped ≠ exhaled Breathed out air; breathed out · sighed · expelled · released
Phrases
gulp down (Swallow rapidly, eagerly); Big Gulp (Branded jumbo beverage); one gulp
Categories
wolfed: gobbled, devoured, scarfed, bolted, inhaled
Family
gulp, gulping, gulps, gulper
- Familiarity
- Top 20,000
- Profile
- Known to kids · Used worldwide · Timeless · Concrete · Everyday, not technical · Rated G