memory lapse
noun
: a period of time when a person forgets things that he or she should have remembered
As he grew older he began to have memory lapses.
Examples of memory lapse in a Sentence
Recent Examples on the Web
Imagine a young adult who has struggled for years with memory lapses and social difficulties is now able to participate more fully in school, work, and relationships.
—
William A. Haseltine, Forbes.com, 19 June 2025
Last week, audio released of a special counsel’s interview with Biden confirmed memory lapses that White House officials denied at the time.
—Elizabeth Robinson, NBC news, 19 May 2025
These disruptions and the resulting symptoms like headaches, dizziness, nausea, vomiting, difficulty concentrating, memory lapses, balance issues, sensitivity to light and noise and personality changes can last minutes to days to even weeks and months.
—Bruce Y. Lee, Forbes.com, 31 May 2025
The discussion — centered around classified documents found at the former president’s private residence from his time as vice president — shone a light on Biden’s memory lapses.
—Filip Timotija, The Hill, 31 May 2025
The Bidens may have planned the cancer announcement as a smokescreen to take the focus off the coverup of his mental decline illustrated by memory lapses, stumbles and inarticulate speech patterns heard on the audio.
—Sun Sentinel Editorial Board, Sun Sentinel, 24 May 2025
Reframe what could be an awkward moment as an opportunity to include the other person, shifting attention away from your memory lapse.
—Angela Haupt, Time, 21 May 2025
Along with Thompson’s work for Axios, the most detailed report on Biden’s frailty and memory lapses came in June 2024 from Wall Street Journal reporters Siobhan Hughes and Annie Linskey.
—Stephen Battaglio, Los Angeles Times, 20 May 2025
The audio recordings show Biden’s memory lapses, although a transcript of the interview was made available last year.
—Natalie Oganesyan, Deadline, 18 May 2025
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William A. Haseltine, Forbes.com, 19 June 2025
Last week, audio released of a special counsel’s interview with Biden confirmed memory lapses that White House officials denied at the time.
—Elizabeth Robinson, NBC news, 19 May 2025
These disruptions and the resulting symptoms like headaches, dizziness, nausea, vomiting, difficulty concentrating, memory lapses, balance issues, sensitivity to light and noise and personality changes can last minutes to days to even weeks and months.
—Bruce Y. Lee, Forbes.com, 31 May 2025
The discussion — centered around classified documents found at the former president’s private residence from his time as vice president — shone a light on Biden’s memory lapses.
—Filip Timotija, The Hill, 31 May 2025
The Bidens may have planned the cancer announcement as a smokescreen to take the focus off the coverup of his mental decline illustrated by memory lapses, stumbles and inarticulate speech patterns heard on the audio.
—Sun Sentinel Editorial Board, Sun Sentinel, 24 May 2025
Reframe what could be an awkward moment as an opportunity to include the other person, shifting attention away from your memory lapse.
—Angela Haupt, Time, 21 May 2025
Along with Thompson’s work for Axios, the most detailed report on Biden’s frailty and memory lapses came in June 2024 from Wall Street Journal reporters Siobhan Hughes and Annie Linskey.
—Stephen Battaglio, Los Angeles Times, 20 May 2025
The audio recordings show Biden’s memory lapses, although a transcript of the interview was made available last year.
—Natalie Oganesyan, Deadline, 18 May 2025
Cite this Entry
“Memory lapse.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/memory%20lapse. Accessed 4 Jul. 2025.
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