as in mistake
a socially improper or unsuitable act or remark
according to an oft-told story, the queen set a guest at ease about a faux pas by politely imitating it
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Example Sentences
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Recent Examples of faux pas
From Maison Margiela’s spring 2005 button-down shirt covered in lipstick kisses to pieces from Paolo Carzana’s fall 2025 collection, grime is explored as a political statement, rather than social faux pas.
—
Samantha Conti, Footwear News, 18 Sep. 2025
Read on for the five faux pas to avoid to score timeless treasures that'll add character to your home for years to come.
—Maria Sabella, Better Homes & Gardens, 17 Sep. 2025
Michael Scott was such a massive personality, so over-the-top and socially awkward and vain, that much of the story revolved around his myriad social faux pas and unforced errors.
—Erik Kain, Forbes.com, 3 Sep. 2025
However, amid her fashion faux pas, Cabello's had some serious style wins over the years.
—Michelle Lee, People.com, 28 Aug. 2025
See All Example Sentences for faux pas
Samantha Conti, Footwear News, 18 Sep. 2025
Read on for the five faux pas to avoid to score timeless treasures that'll add character to your home for years to come.
—Maria Sabella, Better Homes & Gardens, 17 Sep. 2025
Michael Scott was such a massive personality, so over-the-top and socially awkward and vain, that much of the story revolved around his myriad social faux pas and unforced errors.
—Erik Kain, Forbes.com, 3 Sep. 2025
However, amid her fashion faux pas, Cabello's had some serious style wins over the years.
—Michelle Lee, People.com, 28 Aug. 2025
See All Example Sentences for faux pas
Recent Examples of Synonyms for faux pas
Noun
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While rebounding kept the Horned Frogs in the game early, the offense finally picked up until the mistakes piled up down the stretch.—
Shreyas Laddha,
Kansas City Star,
7 Jan. 2026
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Let’s look back on 2025 fantasy misses to look forward and avoid making the signature mistake of each whiff come the 2026 draft season.—
Michael Salfino,
New York Times,
7 Jan. 2026
Noun
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But when her latest husband, discord spirit Raksh, provokes the council’s wrath, Amina must clean up his blunder, contend with Marjana’s demands for the truth…and figure out who on her crew is plotting a mutiny.—
Literary Hub,
Literary Hub,
2 Jan. 2026
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Williamson County based Ramsey Solutions has also come up with an effective guide to avoid any regifting blunders.—
Gabrielle Chenault,
Nashville Tennessean,
28 Dec. 2025
Noun
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That does leave retailers less margin for error and requires a better mastery of data analytics to improve demand forecasting—making sure that what is on offer matches what shoppers want.—
Phil Wahba,
Fortune,
7 Nov. 2025
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Kelly did not disclose what structural engineering issues the building had, but said that the company's structural engineering firm informed Amazon of its error in a statement without elaborating.—
Arkansas Online,
Arkansas Online,
6 Nov. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Faux pas.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/faux%20pas. Accessed 9 Jan. 2026.
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