I was watching a film and there were subtitles "X panting" and "X gasping" in one episode several times. I couldn't figure out any difference in character's breathe depending on subtitle text so I looked into the dictionary (Meriam Webster). Both verbs indeed seem to be synonymous (when speaking of breathing):
Gasp:
- to catch the breath convulsively and audibly (as with shock)
- to breathe laboriously
and
Pant:
- to breathe quickly, spasmodically, or in a labored manner
- to run panting
- to move with or make a throbbing or puffing sound
Is there any significant difference between these two words so that they are not interchangeable in certain cases?