open-mouthed

adjective

ˌō-pən-ˈmau̇t͟hd How to pronounce open-mouthed (audio)
variants also openmouthed
Definition of open-mouthednext
as in wondering
filled with amazement or wonder the stunning view from the mountaintop left us open-mouthed and at a loss for words

Synonyms & Similar Words

Relevance

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

Example Sentences

Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
Recent Examples of open-mouthed Played by a Colman Domingo who is done up to look the most wax figurine of them all in a shellacking of makeup, prosthetics, and colored contacts, Joe is always either giving an avaricious open-mouthed leer or a cold-eyed glare. — Alison Willmore, Vulture, 23 Apr. 2026 Around his head hovers a cluster of disembodied faces — creepy alt-Altmans, their expressions ranging from anger to open-mouthed woe. — Cath Virginia, The Verge, 11 Apr. 2026 The camera panned to an open-mouthed Johansson standing in the wings. — Lara Walsh, InStyle, 19 Jan. 2026 The oldest of three brothers, he was followed into professional football by Bob, who played for Halifax Town, Middlesbrough, Notts County and Southend United, and then by Frank, who, from a very early age, could do things with a ball that would leave his siblings open-mouthed. — Oliver Kay, New York Times, 8 Oct. 2025 See All Example Sentences for open-mouthed
Recent Examples of Synonyms for open-mouthed
  1. amazed
  2. astonished
  3. bewildered
  4. surprised
  5. awed
Adjective
  • For now, that gives New Yorkers one more reason to stop, look up, and be amazed.
    — Nick Caloway, CBS News, 12 Oct. 2026
  • Historian George is still amazed at the resilience of the neighborhood.
    — Miami Herald, Miami Herald, 30 Sep. 2026
Definition of amazed
Adjective
  • Further stories illuminate emotional realities burrowed deep within enormously likeable characters, often moving the reader (or this reader anyway) to astonished tears.
    — Literary Hub, Literary Hub, 21 Apr. 2026
  • One that draws more approving thumbs-ups, creates more astonished grins, or pulls more phones from pockets for impromptu photographs and video—especially in stunning Verde Ermes metallic paint.
    — Michael Harley, Forbes.com, 19 Jan. 2026
Definition of astonished
Adjective
  • The Heat awoke Tuesday as the NBA’s only 0-4 team and thoroughly bewildered about how a group that fashioned itself a contender could continue to perform so poorly.
    — Barry Jackson, Miami Herald, 27 Oct. 2026
  • Darren Foote, a fellow veteran who helped organize the festivities, told the BBC that Filer was somewhat bewildered by all the attention.
    — Toria Sheffield, PEOPLE, 25 Oct. 2026
Definition of bewildered
Adjective
  • Zygielbaum was surprised however that the DOJ reached out only to him, and not the Republican clerk in neighboring Weld County, which also houses a sizable portion of that same congressional district.
    — Miles Parks, NPR, 22 Oct. 2026
  • But Pearson said that he’s been surprised at times by his rural support.
    — Keeanga-Yamahtta Taylor, New Yorker, 22 Oct. 2026
Definition of surprised
Adjective
  • The syrupy strings, treacly piano and awed choral vocals conjure an atmosphere of strained enchantment, suggesting a film burdened by fatal amounts of whimsy and emotional manipulation.
    — Los Angeles Times, Los Angeles Times, 22 Oct. 2026
  • Related Articles The runway appearance of both Hosk and Palvin has set the internet aflame, with awed viewers commending the new moms and calling attention to the indelible power of women.
    — Kaleigh Werner, Footwear News, 20 Oct. 2026
Definition of awed

Browse Nearby Words

open-mindedness
open-mouthed
openness
See all Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Open-mouthed.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/open-mouthed. Accessed 30 Oct. 2026.

Copy Citation
Love words? Need even more definitions?

Subscribe to America's largest dictionary and get thousands more definitions and advanced search—ad free!

Last Updated: - Updated example sentences

More from Merriam-Webster

Word of the Day

Listen to the pronunciation of reticent

See Definitions and Examples »

Popular in Grammar & Usage

See More

How to Use 'Who' vs. 'Whom'

Merriam-Webster’s Great Big List of Words You Love to Hate

'Affect' vs. 'Effect'

'A' or 'an'? What about before 'h'? An Indefinite Article Guide

Why is '-ed' sometimes pronounced at the end of a word?
See More

Popular in Wordplay

See More

The Longest Long Words List

9 Words That Sound Like Insults But Aren't

Pwn, Skibidi, Girlboss and Other Words Added to the 2026 Scrabble Dictionary

The Words of the Week - Oct. 30

12 Lovely and Unusual Words for the Natural World
See More

Popular

See More

How to Use 'Who' vs. 'Whom'

The Longest Long Words List

9 Words That Sound Like Insults But Aren't
See More

Games & Quizzes

See All
Play Quordle: Guess all four words in a limited number of tries. Each of your guesses must be a real 5-letter word.
Quordle Can you solve 4 words at once?
Play Blossom: Solve today's spelling word game by finding as many words as you can using just 7 letters. Longer words score more points.
Blossom Pick the best words!
Play Missing Letter: a crossword with a twist. Each of the 25 puzzle words start with a different letter of the alphabet. Which letter is missing?
The Missing Letter A daily crossword with a twist
different halloween monsters in silhouette
A Monstrous Vocab Quiz Words That Go Bump in the Night
See All