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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Antonyms & Near Antonyms
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Recent Examples of faux pas
While the bizarre urge to chuck things at rock stars performing music onstage has been around since the advent of, well, rock stars and stages, it’s increasingly frowned upon and widely considered the ultimate concert faux pas.
—
Emily St. Martin, Los Angeles Times, 14 May 2026
Were there any big faux pas from the President?
—Stylecaster Editors, StyleCaster, 30 Apr. 2026
These faux pas can end up creating more work for the host, cause a little side-eye, or create awkward tension or frustration.
—Wendy Rose Gould, Martha Stewart, 29 Apr. 2026
Keep your neighbors happy by avoiding these front-yard faux pas that are definitely eyesores.
—Brandee Gruener, Southern Living, 16 Apr. 2026
See All Example Sentences for faux pas
Emily St. Martin, Los Angeles Times, 14 May 2026
Were there any big faux pas from the President?
—Stylecaster Editors, StyleCaster, 30 Apr. 2026
These faux pas can end up creating more work for the host, cause a little side-eye, or create awkward tension or frustration.
—Wendy Rose Gould, Martha Stewart, 29 Apr. 2026
Keep your neighbors happy by avoiding these front-yard faux pas that are definitely eyesores.
—Brandee Gruener, Southern Living, 16 Apr. 2026
See All Example Sentences for faux pas
Recent Examples of Synonyms for faux pas
Noun
-
There are always mistakes on the petitions.—
Kevin Rennie,
Hartford Courant,
6 June 2026
-
Wembanyama rectified that mistake on the next play.—
Mark Medina,
Forbes.com,
6 June 2026
Noun
-
Read on to see the beauty blunders, silly styling and overall head-to-toe outfits that these stars regret.—
Tanisha Bhat,
PEOPLE,
9 June 2026
-
The base-running blunder by Alcántara, a prospect acquired in the Anthony Rizzo trade with the New York Yankees at the 2021 trade deadline, is just one example of how this team is pressing.—
Patrick Mooney,
New York Times,
8 June 2026
Noun
-
Mexico opened the scoring in the ninth minute when Quiñones capitalized on a defensive error by South Africa and fired a shot down the middle, between the legs of goalkeeper Ronwen Williams.—
Eduard Cauich,
Los Angeles Times,
12 June 2026
-
As each flaw and error in the early development of vaccines became clear, researchers and practitioners responded, fixing problems as they were identified.—
Literary Hub,
Literary Hub,
11 June 2026
Cite this Entry
“Faux pas.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/faux%20pas. Accessed 13 Jun. 2026.
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