gasp/pant

Question

What's the major difference (if any) between the usages of the two words?

I know we can say 'one comes out of water to gasp for air', and in this case, I think 'gasp' cannot be replaced by 'pant'. Am I right?

Thanks in advance!

Marius Hancu · Accepted Answer

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pant
1 a : to breathe quickly, spasmodically, or in a labored manner (as
from exertion, eagerness, or excitement) : respire with heaving of the
chest b : to run panting <panted along beside the bicycle> c : to move
with or make a throbbing or puffing sound <trains panting up the hill>

gasp
1 : to catch the breath convulsively and audibly often as an
expression of shock, concern, or emotion<he gasped as he stepped into
the icy water> <gasping with surprise as he saw the new house>

2 : to breathe laboriously with open mouth : pant strongly and audibly
<the exhausted runner threw himself down and gasped> <a dying man
gasping for breath>; broadly : to become completely exhausted <a
handful of hypertrophied capitalists gasping under the load of their
growing millions -- G.B.Shaw>

3 : to make a sound like that of a gasped breath <cans gasped under the knives -- W.W.Haines> <the engine gasped, caught, and settled into a smooth purr>
transitive verb : to emit or utter with gasps <she gasped a shocked
denial> -- often used with forth, out, away <he gasped out a plea for
mercy>

Merriam-Webster Dictionary, Unabridged.
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they both of course reflect heavy breathing

however
the expression of shock, concern, or emotion
seems to be related more to "gasp"
while the areas in blue seem to be common

To me, "to pant" reflects more the exertion of the lungs
while "to gasp" insists more on the opening of the mouth to catch more air

And yes, you're right about your example.

Hly2004 · Answer

Thank you , Marius Hancu !

gasp/pant

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