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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Recent Examples of faux pas
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
But maybe still with a social faux pas with Megan Thee Stallion.
—Bethy Squires, Vulture, 24 Mar. 2026
Yet at a large function, announcing your departure could actually be more of a faux pas.
—Deirdre Bardolf, FOXNews.com, 17 Mar. 2026
See All Example Sentences for faux pas
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
But maybe still with a social faux pas with Megan Thee Stallion.
—Bethy Squires, Vulture, 24 Mar. 2026
Yet at a large function, announcing your departure could actually be more of a faux pas.
—Deirdre Bardolf, FOXNews.com, 17 Mar. 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
-
Santos, whose political rise and fall was characterized by a notorious trail of lies and falsehoods, claimed my story was riddled with errors.—
Bobby Allyn,
NPR,
4 June 2026
-
The other Philadelphia runs scored on a throwing error by San Diego reliever Yuki Matsui on a pickoff attempt and a fielder's choice by Brandon Marsh.—
ABC News,
ABC News,
4 June 2026
Cite this Entry
“Faux pas.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/faux%20pas. Accessed 11 Jun. 2026.
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