A synonym of "yawn" is "gape."
Meaning:
- "Yawn" means to open the mouth wide and inhale deeply due to tiredness or boredom. For example, "He couldn't help but yawn during the long and dull lecture."
- "Gape" also has a similar meaning of opening the mouth wide. However, it can have a slightly different connotation. It can imply a more astonished or gaping - open - mouthed look. For example, "The tourists gaped at the magnificent architecture of the cathedral."
Usage:
- "Yawn" is most commonly used to describe the physical act of yawning due to tiredness, lack of sleep, or boredom. It's a very familiar and everyday word. For example, "She tried to cover her yawn during the meeting."
- "Gape" is used in situations where the emphasis is more on the wide - opening of the mouth in a state of wonder, shock, or amazement. It's not as often associated with tiredness as "yawn." For example, "The children gaped at the magician's tricks."
Another synonym could be "oscitate."
Meaning:
- "Oscitate" is a more formal or literary term for yawning. It has the same basic meaning of opening the mouth wide to take a deep breath, usually because of drowsiness. For example, "The old man began to oscitate as the story droned on."
Usage:
- "Oscitate" is not a commonly used word in everyday speech. It's more likely to be found in formal writing, such as in literature, academic papers, or old - fashioned descriptions. It gives a more sophisticated or archaic tone to the text.