AGAPE Synonyms: 26 Similar and Opposite Words

agape

adjective

ə-ˈgāp

Definition of agape

as in watchful

having or showing signs of eagerly awaiting something at the sound of the sleigh bells the children were all agape, waiting for Santa to appear

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 agape Jokic is not competing against the Timberwolves’ Anthony Edwards — though both will leave mouths agape over the next two weeks. — Troy Renck, Denver Post, 17 Apr. 2026 Passersby pause to take in the beauty of her native plants or offer a compliment, and children, mouths agape and fingers pointing, marvel at the buzzing inhabitants. — Charlotte Observer, 25 Sep. 2025 The first time my son and I drove through Pigeon Forge, our mouths were agape. — Lisa Cericola, Southern Living, 20 Sep. 2025 The 15-strong panel’s mouths were still agape as Quentin took his leave, followed by Clark and Schuler. — Jay Glennie, HollywoodReporter, 19 Sep. 2025 Visitors will find themselves with jaws agape at the striking jagged mountain peaks, looming glaciers, and slick icebergs, all set to the backdrop of moody, misty weather—this is a photographer’s dream adventure. — Stefanie Waldek, AFAR Media, 12 Sep. 2025 In that light, Superman might not have it so bad after all, with Luthor’s questing jealousy, not to mention the agape disbelief of a cynical humanity, always there to establish the stakes. — Derek Robertson, The Washington Examiner, 8 Aug. 2025

Recent Examples of Synonyms for agape

Adjective

While CIOs and CTOs have been keeping a watchful eye on rogue AI agents from OpenAI, Anthropic, and other major AI labs, within enterprises, the bet on these autonomous systems is only getting bigger.

— John Kell, Fortune, 30 Sep. 2026
Corie Walsh, 40, the Illinois mother accused of killing her 2-year-old son Barrett, entered a not guilty plea under the watchful eye of her husband, whom she is accused of attempting to poison.

— Kelsie Cairns, FOXNews.com, 24 Sep. 2026

Definition of watchful

Adjective

The service Everyone on staff is friendly and eager to assist.

— Condé Nast, Condé Nast Traveler, 7 Oct. 2026
Data center builders, semiconductor companies, power providers and cybersecurity firms are far less constrained, according to Cramer, because lenders remain eager to finance their growth.

— Alexa LoMonaco, CNBC, 7 Oct. 2026

Definition of eager

Adjective

The crowds outside a major fashion show often start to form a few hours in advance, with expectant fans hoping to spot their favorite celebrities.

— José Criales-Unzueta, Vanity Fair, 28 Sep. 2026
English also included a selfie of the expectant parents, who got engaged in December, with smiles on their faces.

— Kayla Grant, PEOPLE, 31 Aug. 2026

Definition of expectant

Adjective

Another enthusiastic response at the summit came from Vermont, formerly home to the 650 MW Vermont-Yankee Nuclear Power Plant, which closed in 2014.

— John Moritz, Hartford Courant, 4 Oct. 2026
But while an enthusiastic and wider-than-ever audience may be listening now, the Grammys have long appeared inured to such outside influence.

— Leila Cobo, Billboard, 2 Oct. 2026

Definition of enthusiastic

Adjective

Young is making quick decisions and firing a lot of anticipatory balls before his receivers are even out of their cuts.

— Scott Fowler, Charlotte Observer, 24 Sep. 2026
Instead of requiring you to check it, the interface becomes conversational and anticipatory.

— Antoine Sallis, Forbes.com, 23 Sep. 2026

Definition of anticipatory

Adjective

Kathleen Hanna was at least as agog as any of the rest of us at the realization the band was playing to a pretty full and definitely engaged field of (primarily) women, something that would have seemed like science-fiction in their heyday.

— Chris Willman, Variety, 30 Aug. 2026
The reader’s dilemma is not so different from the writer who now navigates a community agog with a game of Find the Imposter, where everyone is both player and umpire.

— Literary Hub, Literary Hub, 22 May 2026

Definition of agog

Browse Nearby Words

against

agape

age

See all Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

Style

“Agape.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/agape. Accessed 9 Oct. 2026.

Copy Citation

Synonyms of agape

adjective

Example Sentences

Browse Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

More from Merriam-Webster on agape

More from Merriam-Webster

Word of the Day

inscrutable

Popular in Grammar & Usage

Do You Need a New Language Peeve?

The Exceptions of '-s' and '-es' Plurals

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

Is it 'nerve-racking' or 'nerve-wracking'?

What's the difference between 'fascism' and 'socialism'?

Popular in Wordplay

The Real Origin of 'Supercalifragilistic'

9 Words That Sound Like Insults But Aren't

7 Words for Bad Endings and Rough Situations

The Words of the Week - Oct. 9

Even More Bird Names that Sound Like Insults (and Sometimes Are)

Popular

Do You Need a New Language Peeve?

The Real Origin of 'Supercalifragilistic'

9 Words That Sound Like Insults But Aren't

Games & Quizzes